DUSHANBE, 12/03/2023 /NIAT “Khovar”/. Today is the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, which was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly on October 14, 1992. On this day, the Assembly called on UN member states to carry out activities aimed at further integrating people with disabilities into society.
On March 22, 2018, the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, respected Emomali Rahmon, signed a document on Tajikistan’s accession to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which is recognition of their rights at the international level.
In Tajikistan today there are about 160 thousand people with disabilities, of which about 32 thousand are children.
According to the Ministry of Health and Social Protection of the Population of the country, in Tajikistan, disabled people are divided into several categories: disabled war veterans and persons equivalent to them, disabled people with general illness, disabled people with occupational diseases, disabled people with work injuries, disabled liquidators of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, disabled people with military service and children -disabled people.
The rights and interests of disabled people or persons with limited capabilities are protected by the Law of the Republic of Tajikistan “On Social Protection of Disabled Persons”. There are also laws of the Republic of Tajikistan “On Veterans”, “On Social Protection of Persons Affected as a result of the Liquidation of the Consequences of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant”, which outline the rights of persons with disabilities.
As noted by the Head of the Department of Social Protection of the Population of the Ministry of Health and Social Protection of the Population, Kudratullo Kurbonzoda, during the period of independence, significant work has been carried out to improve the lives of people with disabilities. “The State Enterprise “Prosthetic and Orthopedic Plant” in Dushanbe with branches in Khujand, Kulyab and Khorog has been reconstructed and equipped with modern equipment. In 1996, this enterprise was completely reconstructed with funds from the ministry, and in 2015 a new workshop for the production of walkers was created. In 2018-2019, with the involvement of development partners, the plant’s branches in the cities of Kulyab and Khujand were completely renovated and equipped with modern equipment for the production of prosthetic and orthopedic products, and in 2023 – a branch in Khorog,” added Kudratullo Kurbonzoda.
The purpose of the date is to draw public attention to the problems associated with protecting the rights of people with disabilities, because it is obvious that their rights to employment, accessible education and infrastructure are very often not respected even in economically developed countries, not to mention others.
In a conversation with a correspondent of NIAT “Khovar”, the Chairman of the National Association of Disabled Persons of Tajikistan, Asadullo Zikrikhudoev, noted that Tajikistan is implementing the National Action Program for the ratification and implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in the period 2020-2024. In this direction, the association, in cooperation with government agencies and with the support of international organizations, is carrying out extensive work, not only in Dushanbe, but also in the regions.
“Representatives of our association visit the regions and try to resolve issues of people with disabilities at the proper level. Unfortunately, in many areas, when constructing and renovating facilities, they do not pay attention to creating an accessible environment for people with disabilities. Some buildings do not meet the standards adopted in the Republic of Tajikistan. As part of cooperation with the UN, we are considering the issue of involving people with disabilities in the workforce. In this direction, with the support of the UN Office in the Republic of Tajikistan, desk analyzes of the legislation of Tajikistan on the employment of people with disabilities have been carried out since January 2023 to this day. In solving problems with disabilities, we also take into account the experience of neighboring countries. Research shows that Kazakhstan has advanced the most in this matter, and we are adopting its experience,” the interlocutor added.
As part of the International Day of People with Disabilities, an event was held in Dushanbe in which the process of implementing the National Action Plan (NAP) to prepare Tajikistan for the ratification and implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities and the role of this document to strengthen and ensure the rights of people with disabilities was discussed.
The purpose of the event was to review and determine the progress of implementation of the provisions and plans of the NAP in 2023.
Source: Khovar TJ
