OPD Leaders poised to intensify advocacy efforts for the inclusion of persons with disability in Youth empowerment opportunities
Over the years, persons with disabilities have recorded little progress in advocacy for their inclusion in mainstream activities. Some of their advocacy efforts have yielded limited or no fruits due to limited advocacy skills and a lack of funding for their advocacy activities. As a result, many of them have been left out of many empowerment opportunities.
Against this backdrop, the Comprehensive Program for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities and Inclusive Access to Basic Services of Health and Education in the Northwest region organized a two-day workshop for leaders of Associations of Persons with Disabilities in the Northwest region. The workshop was dubbed, “Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in Youth Empowerment Opportunities Created by Government, Local Government, and Non-Governmental Organizations.
The workshop, which brought together 40 participants from 8 Associations of Persons with Disabilities in Mezam division took place recently at the Baptist Center Nkwen, Bamenda. The objective of the workshop was to train leaders of the Organization of Persons with Disabilities (OPD) on advocacy for the inclusion of persons with disabilities in employment opportunities and resource OPD leaders.
During the training, OPD leaders were schooled on advocacy and sensitization strategies to build on the ratified UNCRD to negotiate for quotes for youths with disabilities in all empowerment programs and implement a process to facilitate the enrollment and access of interested and eligible youth with disabilities to empowerment programs. Presentations in the workshop were focused on disability concepts, disability inclusion and the law, principles of advocacy, and the role of communication in advocacy.
The Coordinator of the Association of Persons with Disabilities (CUAPWD) in the Northwest, Chick Sama presented some of the strides recorded in advocacy such as increased access to education, health, and livelihood opportunities by persons with impairments. He joined the other presenters to school the participants on the legal instruments, which back them in their advocacy activities. He noted that the law is not applicable in isolation and called on them to understand the law and hold duty bearers responsible for its implementation.
One of the actions of the workshop was to develop advocacy action plans which they will implement in their different associations with support from the Program. The participants deliberated on the challenges they face in their communities and how they can mobilize advocacy efforts to ensure the inclusion of persons with disabilities in societal life.
Speaking to one of the participants, Benedicta Vuche from the North West Association of Women with Disabilities, she pointed out that persons with disabilities need the capacity for advocacy to advocate for themselves. She appreciated the Program for building the capacity of OPD leaders who will share knowledge with their peers with disabilities.
On his part, Kum Nji Desmond from Hope and Social Union for the Visually Impaired who facilitated a session on the legal instruments, underscored the need for persons with disabilities to come out of their shelves, understand the law, sensitize the public on the law and advocate for their rights.
At the close of the workshop, the Project Coordinator, Loshieh Eugene disclosed to the participants that the Program will support their advocacy plans which they will implement in the days ahead. He expressed that it is the wish of the Program to see more persons with disabilities benefiting from Youth empowerment opportunities created by the government, local government, and NGOs.
The workshop was organized with support from CBM.