Mauritania's National Assembly Hosts Workshop on National Strategy for Integrating People with Disabilities

The Mauritanian National Assembly recently organized a parliamentary workshop in collaboration with the Konrad Adenauer Foundation to introduce the National Strategy for Integrating People with Disabilities. The workshop aimed to promote the role of parliament in protecting the rights of people with disabilities and to develop coordination between public authorities and concerned partners. The event was attended by the Third Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Hassan Sheikh Baha, and the Secretary General of the Ministry of Social Work, Childhood and Family, Hamoudi Ould Sheikhna.

The workshop's primary objective is to ensure that people with disabilities can benefit from education, healthcare, training, and basic services, as well as participate effectively in public life. The National Strategy for 2024-2034 provides a framework for directing efforts to integrate people with disabilities. The Third Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly emphasized that guaranteeing the rights of people with disabilities is a national responsibility and a measure of society's ability to build a state with justice and equal opportunities.

The Secretary General of the Ministry of Social Work, Childhood and Family, highlighted that the integration of people with disabilities and the promotion of their rights are central to the President's electoral program. The government has implemented several programs and projects to support people with disabilities, including regular cash transfers, support for income-generating projects, and access to health insurance. The Ministry has also issued disability cards and provided technical assistance to facilitate mobility and movement.

The Parliamentary Group for People with Disabilities, led by Fatima Mohamed Abdullah Hassan, emphasized that integrating people with disabilities is a national responsibility based on respect for human dignity and equal rights. The group called for clear recommendations on priorities, responsibilities, and timelines for implementation, as well as a mechanism for monitoring progress. The Parliamentary Group expressed its readiness to contribute to this monitoring and to enhance dialogue with various partners.

The Representative of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, Stefan Hofner, expressed his gratitude to the National Assembly for its cooperation and highlighted the importance of representing people with disabilities within the legislative institution. The Foundation pledged to continue supporting efforts to address these issues and promote the rights of people with disabilities.

The workshop was attended by several parliamentarians and representatives of relevant institutions and organizations. The participants discussed the challenges faced by people with disabilities and the need for a comprehensive approach to address these challenges. The workshop aimed to promote a culture of inclusion and equality, and to ensure that people with disabilities can participate fully in public life.

The National Assembly's efforts to promote the rights of people with disabilities are part of a broader commitment to social justice and human rights. The Assembly has a crucial role to play in ensuring that the rights of all citizens, including those with disabilities, are protected and promoted. The workshop concluded with a call for action to ensure that the rights of people with disabilities are respected and promoted.

Key points

• The Mauritanian National Assembly hosted a workshop to introduce the National Strategy for Integrating People with Disabilities.
• The workshop aimed to promote the role of parliament in protecting the rights of people with disabilities.
• The National Strategy for 2024-2034 provides a framework for directing efforts to integrate people with disabilities.