Rwanda's State Minister for Youth and Arts, Sandrine Umutoni, has emphasized the need for greater action to ensure people living with disabilities are fully included in society. Speaking at the launch of a book written by Uwizeye Enock, popularly known as Kagarara, Umutoni said recognition of their rights should go beyond words and be reflected in everyday life. The book, Muraho! Nitwa Kagarara, explores the lived experiences of people with disabilities in Rwanda.
Umutoni made the remarks on Saturday during the launch of the book, which draws largely from the author's personal journey and the challenges he has encountered while navigating society. She stressed that inclusion begins with changing attitudes towards children and adults with disabilities and creating opportunities for them to participate fully in community life. Umutoni encouraged families and communities to support children with disabilities.
The minister's message highlighted the responsibility of families, communities, and institutions to remove barriers that prevent people with disabilities from reaching their potential. Social stigma can become an obstacle for children with disabilities, limiting access to education, friendships, skills development, and opportunities to pursue their ambitions. Umutoni's remarks underscored the need for inclusion to be measured through practical opportunities.
Through his book, Kagarara uses his own experience to bring these realities closer to the public, turning a personal story into a broader conversation about disability, dignity, and inclusion. The launch served as a platform for reflection on how society perceives disability and the importance of giving people living with disabilities space to tell their own stories. The event was more than a literary event.
Umutoni argued that valuing people with disabilities should be visible in how children are treated at home and school, how talents are supported, and how people with disabilities are enabled to participate in social and economic life. Kagarara's story adds a personal dimension to the conversation, showing how lived experiences can challenge stereotypes and encourage society to look beyond disability.
The book's launch comes as discussions around inclusion continue to place greater emphasis on ensuring that people with disabilities are not merely recipients of support, but active participants in society with the same right to education, creativity, social interaction, and the pursuit of their dreams. The emphasis on inclusion is crucial for creating a fair and equitable society.
The launch of Muraho! Nitwa Kagarara is part of a broader conversation about disability and inclusion in Rwanda. The book provides a personal account of the challenges faced by people with disabilities and encourages society to take action to support their inclusion. Key stakeholders must work together to create opportunities for people with disabilities to participate fully in society.
Key points
- Rwanda's State Minister for Youth and Arts, Sandrine Umutoni, has called for greater action to ensure people living with disabilities are fully included in society.
- The launch of the book, Muraho! Nitwa Kagarara, served as a platform for reflection on how society perceives disability and the importance of giving people living with disabilities space to tell their own stories.
- Umutoni emphasized that inclusion begins with changing attitudes towards children and adults with disabilities and creating opportunities for them to participate fully in community life.
