NCHR holds consultation to discuss challenges faced by PWDs

Islamabad: With a focus on strengthening assistance for individuals with disabilities and fostering their inclusive participation in society, the National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR) convened a consultation meeting with stakeholders which was attended by the representatives from disability rights organisations and advocacy groups.

Chaired by the Chairperson of NCHR, the meeting was aimed at addressing the pressing challenges faced by persons with disabilities across the nation. Speaking on this occasion, Chairperson NCHR Rabiya Javeri Agha reaffirmed Commission’s commitment to actively engage in assisting individuals with disabilities, and acknowledged the urgent need for specific mechanisms to effectively address their day-to-day challenges.

The meeting highlighted the varying degrees of progress in disability legislation across provinces, with Sindh and Punjab making notable advancements. However, the participants shared that the absence of notified rules in Islamabad and Baluchistan, coupled with inadequate mechanisms, presents significant obstacles in addressing disability-related concerns. Participants emphasized the critical importance of aligning efforts among key stakeholders, including the Statistics Bureau and the Ministry of Finance, to advance the disability agenda effectively. Urgent attention was also drawn towards gender-specific laws and harassment protection for persons with disabilities to address existing gaps and ensure comprehensive support.

The participants raised concerns regarding the lack of accessibility features in police stations, helplines, and educational institutions, hindering communication and access to services for persons with disabilities. The consultation ended with a demand of enforcing accessibility standards in all government and non-government institutions, ensuring accessible transportation services and fares for persons with disabilities and implementing inclusive education practices, including wheelchair access in schools. The participants also called for promoting inclusivity in employment by ensuring disabled-friendly parking and enforcing the 5 per cent employment quota.

In her concluding remarks, the NCHR Chairperson outlined a comprehensive action plan which included drafting a letter to the Ministry of Human Rights to urge uniform notification of rules across all provinces and address gaps in disability laws and organizing a stakeholder meeting, preferably in Sindh, to assess commitments and progress in disability inclusion efforts.

He said that the NCHR remains steadfast in its commitment to advancing the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities, working collaboratively with stakeholders and advocacy groups to ensure a more equitable and accessible society for all.