New York City, USA – The Chairperson of the National Commission on Disabilities in Liberia joined other leaders at the 16th Session of the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on The Rights of Persons living with Disabilities (CRPD), being held at United Nations Headquarters in New York City.
Amb. Daintowon Domah Pay-Bayee presented Liberia’s case during the ceremony, highlighting the difficulties faced by people living with disabilities. “We validated the Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) by eliminating discrimination against people with disabilities in all matters relating to marriage, parenthood, relationships, family planning, fertility, and family life.”
In order to ensure that Liberians with disabilities develop resilience in the country, she mentions the need to harmonize national policies and strategies. This became a top priority for the Liberian government as soon as the National Commission on Disabilities (NCD) Act, which established the NCD as an autonomous agency with three (3) officials appointed as Members of Cabinet, was passed in 2005, a year before the UNCRPD was adopted in 2006.
The (NCD) boss stated that the Commission is tasked with the duties of reviewing, influencing, and formulating policies as well as monitoring every service delivery; most importantly, the Commission is structured at the level of the Districts, Counties, and Regional in order to ensure that no one is left behind.
She further that the Commission had revised National Action Plan with support from UNDP, UNICEF and UNESCO Abuja office which aligned with the National Strategic Disabilities Roadmap, and both were signed by President George Weah for the full Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in Liberia.”
Amb. Pay-Bayee pointed out that the roadmap will examine how PWDs’ lives are developing at the community level while the NAP will do so from a policy perspective. The government also worked with the Liberia Labor Congress (LLC) and the Ministry of Labor to ensure the creation of a Decent Work Manual for Persons with Disabilities with assistance from the ILO.
She continued that the Commission participated in the first-ever National Conference on SRHR in Liberia and developed a Position Statement in collaboration with Amplifying Rights Network (ARN), Swedish Association for Sexuality Education (RFSU), and other SHR actors to create a forum for collectively promoting and popularizing accurate SHR information free of stigma and discrimination for greater freedom of choice regarding their sexual health.
“Every first Tuesday of the month is Women with Disabilities (WWDs) time at the Commission where we discuss issues around SRHR and other issues affecting Women with disabilities. We have made progress, but there is still more to do; Liberia is seeking support to conduct a national survey to gather aggregated data for economic and social empowerment of PWDs, creation of a National Registry for Persons with Disabilities across the country as the Commission in charge of disability issues.”
Reported by: Joseph N. Kerkula
Email: jnkerkula@gmail.com
Contact: +231777376826
