Policy not aiding PLWDs

By MELYNE BAROI
THE National Policy on Disability is not helping people living with disabilities (PLWDs) or impairment to be gainfully employed, National Capital District Different Abilities Advocacy Agency deputy co-chairman Dona Ou says.
“There are many factors causing the employment rate of the disabled to be low which the policy needs to address,” he added.
Ou said there was an ongoing issue of stigma and discrimination in the workplace, like receiving rude comments and stares that discouraged the chances of employment for the disabled.
“The workplace environment is also discouraging as not all buildings have ramps and lifts for the disabled to move around.”
According to the World Health Organisation statistics, 15 per cent of the world’s population live with disability and only two per cent receive services.
This means for every 975,000 people living with disabilities in Papua New Guinea, only 19,500 are recognised by the Government.
Ou said the agency had started preparations to host a workshop for advocates to discuss and review the policy in June.
“The policy has been here since 2020 and before it expires in 2025, we wish to address some of the issues and include it in the renewed policy then,” he said.
“The United Nations Women agency has approved our concept note by agreeing to help us fund the workshop.”
Ou added that the workshop in Port Moresby would see two representatives from each province give their input on the proposed review.
Cheshire disAbility Services Centre board member Isabella Kila said the workshop would be an opportunity for PLWDs’ service providers to work collectively to breach communications and development barriers.