The Light for the World has called on South Sudan to ratify the United Nations (UN) Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability.
Rupert Roniger, Chief Executive Officer of Light for the World, described the situation of persons with disabilities in the country as ‘really bad’ for the vulnerable people that collaborative efforts need to avert.
Mr. Roniger, who was in South Sudan for the first time to acquaint himself with the situation of persons with disabilities, said the ratification of the convention would mitigate the challenges they face in the country.
“There are things to be improved. There are many, many children out of schools especially the vulnerable groups and children with disability, and I think we can change this together,” said Roniger.
He made the remarks at Dami Primary School in Mangateen camp for internally displaced in Juba on Friday after visiting Western Bahr el Ghazal State to assess the conditions of persons with disabilities.
So far neighbouring Kenya, Uganda and Sudan have all ratified the convention for rights of persons with disabilities.
As a human rights instrument with an explicit social development dimension, the convention reaffirms that all persons with all types of disabilities must enjoy all human rights and fundamental freedoms including education, health, and protection, among others.
According to the Light for the World, more than 1.2 billion in the world have disabilities with 80 per cent living in low and middle-income countries including South Sudan, requiring the participation of persons with disabilities and their rights to be respected in sectors.
Roniger said his organization was committed to eradicating discrimination against persons with disabilities and promoting gender equity through education, empowerment, health, climate action, and humanitarian relief. - , The City Review
