Niger Hosts Workshop on Disability Rights in Zinder Region

The Governor of Zinder region, Colonel Massalatchi Mahaman Sani, presided over a workshop on promoting disability rights in the region. The event, held at the Nigerien Cultural Center, was attended by administrative and customary authorities, religious leaders, and representatives from the Ministry of Population, Social Action, and National Solidarity. The workshop aimed to raise awareness about existing laws and policies protecting the rights of people with disabilities.

In his inaugural speech, the Governor emphasized the importance of equity and social justice in the country's Refoundation. He highlighted Niger's commitment to promoting and protecting the rights of people with disabilities, citing the country's ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) in 2008. The Governor also mentioned the recent adoption of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights, which focuses on the rights of people with disabilities in Africa.

The Governor outlined Niger's national legal framework, which includes Ordinance No. 93-012, establishing rules for social protection of people with disabilities. This ordinance guarantees a minimum economic security for people with disabilities. Additionally, Ordinance No. 2010-028 created the National Committee for the Promotion of People with Disabilities, responsible for implementing and coordinating national policies. The committee's tasks include adapting to disability, monitoring national policies, and providing information and education.

The workshop also discussed the application texts related to the Equal Opportunities Card (CEC), a key instrument for implementing positive discrimination measures for people with disabilities. The Governor stressed that the existing legal framework demonstrates the government's irreversible commitment to promoting the rights of people with disabilities. According to recent estimates, over 45,000 people in the Zinder region live with a disability.

The Governor called on prefects and administrators to take concrete actions to promote disability rights in their respective areas. He emphasized the need for a culture of inclusion and the importance of early intervention in childhood disability. The Governor also highlighted the role of the National Committee for the Promotion of People with Disabilities in providing support and solidarity to people with disabilities.

The workshop provided a platform for stakeholders to discuss challenges and opportunities in promoting disability rights in the Zinder region. Participants included representatives from associations of people with disabilities, civil society organizations, and government agencies. The event aimed to foster collaboration and coordination among stakeholders to ensure effective implementation of disability rights policies.

The campaign to promote disability rights in the Zinder region is part of a broader effort to ensure that people with disabilities enjoy equal opportunities and social inclusion. The Governor's initiative reflects the government's commitment to upholding the rights of all citizens, including those with disabilities. The workshop's outcomes are expected to contribute to improved implementation of disability rights policies in the region.

Key points

• The workshop aimed to raise awareness about existing laws and policies protecting the rights of people with disabilities in Niger's Zinder region.