HIGH LEVEL CONSULTATIVE FORUM FOR NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

Hon. Minister Moeti C. Mohwasa, in his opening remarks, acknowledged the daily struggles and silent battles faced by persons with disabilities, emphasizing their extraordinary resilience in navigating barriers that society often fails to address. He highlighted challenges in education, employment, access to services, and societal attitudes that deny persons with disabilities their rightful place. The Minister reiterated the importance of fostering inclusive environments and equitable opportunities for all.

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry for State President, Ms. Goitsemang Morekisi, welcomed participants and expressed gratitude for their commitment to addressing disability-related challenges. She emphasized the significance of convening diverse stakeholders under one roof to plan and devise strategies for improving the lives of persons with disabilities. Ms. Morekisi also acknowledged international virtual participants from Japan, Uganda, and Malawi for sharing valuable insights and experiences.

Ms. Wenyan Yang, UN Resident Coordinator, stressed the importance of disability inclusion in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). She expressed concern over the lack of accessibility in public infrastructure and services, urging stakeholders to prioritize inclusive development.

During the forum, Mr. Moffat Louis, Executive Director of Botswana Council for the Disabled, delivered a presentation titled “The Disability Sector Challenges and Points of Entry for Equalizing Opportunities for All.” He provided an overview of BCD’s role as an apex body coordinating disability service organizations across Botswana. Mr. Louis highlighted several key challenges faced by the sector, including inconsistent disability statistics, disparities in service availability across districts, delays in subvention disbursements, inadequate special education resources, and high unemployment rates among persons with disabilities.

To address these challenges, BCD proposed several recommendations:

1. Subventions should be released biannually instead of quarterly to minimize service interruptions.

2. Community disability centers should be established nationwide to provide socialization opportunities, respite for caregivers, and recreational activities for persons with disabilities.

3. Disability cash transfers should be revised to align with other social welfare programs like the old-age pension scheme.

4. Comprehensive evaluations of social security programs should be conducted to develop disability-specific initiatives tailored to varying needs and severity levels.

5. Ministries should appoint dedicated Disability Mainstreaming Officers to enhance government-wide disability inclusion efforts.

In her closing remarks, Ms. Morekisi thanked all participants for their contributions and commended the organizers for their dedication despite financial constraints. She reiterated the importance of collaborative efforts in creating a more inclusive society where persons with disabilities can thrive.

The forum was attended by leaders from various ministries, including Health, Local Government and Traditional Affairs, Child Welfare and Basic Education, Transport and Infrastructure, Higher Education, and the Directorate of Public Service Management. It marked a significant step toward advancing disability inclusion in Botswana and fostering meaningful change for equal opportunities.