Inclusion of PWDs termed imperative for equitable society

HARIPUR: For building a truly equitable society based on the principles of respect for human rights and diversity, the inclusion of persons with disabilities (PWDs) is imperative and the civil society, line departments and government institutions need to join hands for the purpose.

This was the crux of speeches delivered on the occasion of the commemoration of International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) here on Wednesday. The Social Welfare Department, civil society organisations and Government Institute for Children with Hearing and Speech Impairment, Haripur jointly organised the event.

Speakers said that social acceptance, access to services, and the inclusivity in social participation of PWDs were the few challenges to name that were constantly impeding the achievement of the objective in this regard.

Dr Mohsin Raza Turabi, medical superintendent District Headquarters Hospital, spoke about the forms of disabilities with a focus on early and late marriages, pre-birth complications and post-birth attending of babies at the nurseries.

Ms Iffat Nasir from the Center for Intellectually and Physically Challenged Children, Haripur threw light on the problems that her centre was facing in managing the intellectually and physically challenged children and sought the help of the district administration and civil society.