Empower disabled people to be active contributors: Envoy

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By LULU MARK
PEOPLE with disabilities (PWD) should be empowered along with everyone else to be active contributors in the society, Australian High Commissioner Jon Philp says.
Philp commemorated the World Disability Day yesterday with the Papua New Guinea Assembly of Disabled Persons (PADP) in Port Moresby where he presented tools to the sheltered workshop.
He said the day was all about acknowledging everyone with disabilities in the communities.
He said the theme for this year’s World Disability Day was “building back better: toward a disability-inclusive, accessible and sustainable post-Covid-19 world” was a reminder that the Covid-19 had affected everybody in the world.
“It is important that we make sure that everybody in our communities is cooperating, helping and supporting each other to survive,” he said.
“The idea is to focus on importance of working as a community to minimise the impact of the Covid-19 on all of us.”
Philp said it was important to highlight the contributions of persons with disabilities to promote an inclusive, accessible and safe society for all.
He said the Australian government reaffirmed its focus on the most vulnerable, including women, girls, children with disabilities and people living in poverty and the sick.
He said Australia would continue to work with PNG Government and PADP.
“People with disabilities are more likely to be affected by the pandemic and for all women and girls with disabilities, we must continue to promote women empowerment for a safe and inclusive society for everyone,” Philp said.
He said the aim of the 20 days of human right activism was to leave no one behind, therefore, everyone should be able and empowered to become active contributors throughout the country no matter what condition one might be in.