By Kefiloe Kajane
The Lesotho National Federation of Organisations of the Disabled (LNFOD) has embarked on a campaign for introduction of the Persons with Disability Advisory Council, which will see implementation and compliance with the Persons with Disability Equity Act.
The ministry of social development in March this year tabled the Bill in parliament for approval.
However, the Bill which is meant to advocate and provide for equal opportunities for persons with disabilities and recognition of their rights, has to date, not been passed into law. This is due to pending inauguration of the advisory council. The council is supposed to see that the Bill sees the light of the day.
LNFOD executive director, Nkhasi Sefuthi, this week argued that the council would play a role in advancing effective monitoring of human rights of persons with disabilities. That, he said, was taken into account the need for full and effective participation of persons with disabilities in decision making processes on issues affecting their lives.
“LNFOD has initiated a campaign for the inauguration of the Persons with Disability Advisory Council which targets the minister of social development since the law states that he or she is responsible for inaugurating the council. The campaign goes further to challenge the private sector and the public at large to raise awareness about the rights of persons with disabilities, a means through which they can be promoted and respected by the community,” Sefuthi explained.
Sefuthi said the campaign further advocates for allocation of adequate and sufficient budget for the council so that it may discharge its functions efficiently. He said the rights of persons with disability are seldom neglected in terms of access to infrastructure, mobility, communication, education, healthcare facilities and employment opportunities.
According to Sefuthi on September 30, LNFOD held a lobbying and advocacy meeting with the ministry of social development and the Portfolio Committee on Social Cluster whereby LNFOD had asked for speedy process in setting up the council. Therefore, he appealed for operationalisation of the council.
“LNFOD calls upon the minister of social development to appoint members of the council and ensure that the ministry allocates adequate and sufficient budget to the council which will ensure that it is best placed to monitor the rights and provide directives and advice to all government ministries dealing with disability issues,” he noted.
