New laws on rights of persons with disabilities in spotlight

A TWO-DAY legislative review meeting by the National Disability Council of Namibia (NDCN) to align Namibia’s policies with international standards and enhance local protections for persons with disabilities started at Swakopmund yesterday.

“This process will not only ensure that Namibia complies with its international obligations, but will equally ensure that persons with disabilities in Namibia receive the required protection,” Erongo governor Neville Andre said.

“We trust that with the commitment of the team, this bill and policy will be presented and submitted to parliament by the end of this year.”

The meeting opened with a review of the draft national policy on disability.

Jessica Gawachab, the project manager of the NDCN, followed with an introduction to the persons with disabilities bill, followed by presentations on the various sections of the bill, ranging from the establishment of the National Disability Fund to fundamental rights and punitive measures.

Earlier this month, the Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare initiated a nationwide consultation process to garner feedback on the bill and the national policy.

The effort will span all 14 regions and aims to engage diverse stakeholders, including people with disabilities, their families, non-governmental organisations and government officials.

“It’s crucial to break the chain of stigma and discrimination against people with disabilities,” the chairperson of the National Federation of Persons with Disabilities in Namibia (NFPDN), Matheus Hashoongo, said.

He urged lawmakers to take the legislative amendments seriously.

The consultations aim to align Namibia’s draft national policy on disability and the persons with disabilities bill with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).

Adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2006 and ratified by 188 countries, including Namibia, the CRPD serves as an international touchstone for the rights of persons with disabilities.

Gawachab said for many, this legislative review signals a significant step towards safeguarding the rights of Namibian citizens with disabilities.