Zubair Qureshi
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and Special Talent Exchange Program (STEP) in joint collaboration with Australian High Commission on Friday celebrated International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) as part of the 16 Days of Activism campaign on prevention from Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
This year’s theme, “United in action to rescue and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for, with, and by persons with disabilities,” emphasizes collective efforts required to work collaboratively toward achieving the SDGs, ensuring that individuals with disabilities are active partners in this endeavor and that their unique perspectives and abilities are valued and integrated into the global development agenda.
Senior representatives of the UNFPA, Australian High Commission, the government officials, representatives of various NGOs working on inclusivity and resilience building, academic fraternity, and people from various walks of life participated in the event. During the event, accessibility was ensured for persons with disabilities, including venue accessibility, international sign language interpretation, and live-captioning.
UNFPA’s Deputy Representative MsLatikaMaskeyPardhan said through over four decades of partnership, Australia remained dedicated to enhancing inclusion of persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Pakistan’s humanitarian and developmental landscape.
From championing initiatives in gender equality, food, and water security to tackling climate change, Australia stands firm in its support, he added. Whether through grassroots cricket clinics for underprivileged schoolgirls or collaborating with the Pakistan Blind Cricket Council for the blind women’s cricket team, these efforts align with our commitment to fostering disability-inclusive development. We affirm our pledge to empower PWDs in Pakistan, enabling them to break the chains of poverty and unlock their boundless potential, he resolved.
