STORY: ON INTERNATIONAL DAY, UN HIGHLIGHTS SOMALIA’S

MILESTONES FOR RIGHTS OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

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DATELINE: 3 DECEMBER 2023, MOGADISHU, SOMALIA

SHOT LIST:
1. Wide pan shot – Event marking International Day of Persons with Disabilities in
Mogadishu; attendees included persons with disabilities, government officials, and
international agencies and partners.
2. Wide shot – A banner of the event at the Decale Hotel.
3. Long shot – Attendees at the event to mark International Day of Persons with Disabilities
in Mogadishu, Somalia.
4. Wide shot – Attendees at the International Day of Persons with Disabilities event.
5. Various shots – Attendees at the International Day of Persons with Disabilities event.
6. Over shoulder shot – UN Deputy Special Representative for Somalia Anita Kiki Gbeho at
the event.
7. Soundbite: Anita Kiki Gbeho, UN Secretary-General’s Deputy Special Representative for
Somalia
“I would like to congratulate the Somali Government for reaching significant milestones
in the protection of the rights of persons with disabilities. These include the ratification
of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, establishing the National
Disability Agency (NDA) and most recently the Cabinet’s approval of the Disability Rights
Bill. The United Nations looks forward to Parliament passing the Disability Rights Bill
and, thereafter, it being signed into law.”

8. Various shots – Attendees at the International Day of Persons with Disabilities event.
9. Close up shot – UN Deputy Special Representative Gbeho at the event.
 10. Soundbite: Anita Kiki Gbeho, UN Secretary-General’s Deputy Special Representative for
Somalia
“I would like to express gratitude to all international partners, especially the United
States and the United Kingdom, for their continued support to persons with disabilities
as a clear demonstration of commitment to serve all Somalis. Because ultimately, we
look forward to contributing to Somalia’s vision of a peaceful, prosperous and stable
society where no one is left behind.”

11. Various shots – Attendees at the International Day of Persons with Disabilities event.
12. Various shots – Presentation by the chairperson National Disability Agency (NDA).
13. Anita Kiki Gbeho, UN Secretary-General’s Deputy Special Representative for Somalia
“The National Disability Needs Assessment report is important as it will provide a better
understanding of the challenges faced by persons with disabilities in Somalia. The report
highlights a number of key challenges faced by persons with disabilities including their
experiences with discrimination, difficulties reaching humanitarian assistance and
education, and lack of inclusion in decision-making processes.”

14. Various shots – Group presentations by persons with disabilities at the event.
15. Anita Kiki Gbeho, UN Secretary-General’s Deputy Special Representative for Somalia
“Moving forward, the next steps will be to see the implementation of the
recommendations in the report materialise. Achieving these will ensure that persons with
disabilities are included in all aspects of life.”

16. Various shots – Attendees and presentations at the International Day of Persons with
Disabilities event.
17. Close up shot – UN Deputy Special Representative Gbeho at the event.

ON INTERNATIONAL DAY, UN HIGHLIGHTS SOMALIA’S MILESTONES FOR RIGHTS OF PERSONS

WITH DISABILITIES

Mogadishu 3 Dec 2023 – At an event to mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities
in Somalia, the United Nations today commended the Federal Government for its progress in
promoting the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities.
“I would like to congratulate the Somali Government for reaching significant milestones in the
protection of the rights of persons with disabilities. These include the ratification of the UN
Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, establishing the National Disability
Agency (NDA) and most recently the Cabinet’s approval of the Disability Rights Bill,” said the UN
Secretary-General’s Deputy Special Representative for Somalia, Anita Kiki Gbeho.

In anticipation of further developments, the Deputy Special Representative also expressed the
hope that the legislative process would result in the passage of the Disability Rights Bill,
emphasising its importance for the empowerment and inclusion of persons with disabilities.

“The United Nations looks forward to Parliament passing the Disability Rights Bill and,
thereafter, it being signed into law,” she said.

Ms. Gbeho had been speaking at a joint observance of the Day, which also served as the launch
of the NDA’s National Disability Assessment Report and the presentation and validation of a
five-year Strategy and Action Plan for the NDA.

The event brought together organisations of persons with disabilities, government officials, and
international agencies and partners to spotlight the achievements and challenges of persons
with disabilities in Somalia.

“I would like to express gratitude to all international partners, especially the United States and
the United Kingdom, for their continued support to persons with disabilities as a clear
demonstration of commitment to serve all Somalis. Because ultimately, we look forward to
contributing to Somalia’s vision of a peaceful, prosperous and stable society where no one is
left behind,” Ms. Gbeho said.

Significant step

Based on a global average of 15 per cent of the population having a disability, it is estimated
that approximately 2.5 million people in Somalia have a disability. However, due to the
prolonged conflict and humanitarian crises, this figure for Somalia is likely to be higher.

In her remarks, the Deputy Special Representative highlighted the importance of the National
Disability Assessment Report, which was supported by the United Nations.

“Today’s launch of the National Disability Needs Assessment report, which took one and a half
years to complete, is another significant step of a clear determination to place the rights of
persons with disabilities at the forefront – all these are parts of inclusion efforts to ensure that
no one is left behind,” Ms. Gbeho said. “The National Disability Needs Assessment report is
important as it will provide a better understanding of the challenges faced by persons with
disabilities in Somalia. The report highlights a number of key challenges faced by persons with
disabilities including their experiences with discrimination, difficulties reaching humanitarian
assistance and education, and lack of inclusion in decision-making processes.”
“Moving forward, the next steps will be to see the implementation of the recommendations in
the report materialise,” she added. “Achieving these will ensure that persons with disabilities
are included in all aspects of life.”
Most vulnerable

According to the Somalia National Development Plan 2020-2024, persons with disabilities are
the most vulnerable in Somalia and are among the disadvantaged groups that lack any form of
social and labour protection.

The NDA was established in 2018 and officially launched in July 2021 to promote and
mainstream disability rights in existing policies, laws, programmes and institutions. It also seeks
to serve people with disabilities equally in line with the United Nations Convention on the
Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).

The UN General Assembly proclaimed 3 December as the International Day of Persons with
Disabilities in 1992. The Day is a global celebration of the rights, dignity, and achievements of
persons with disabilities. It is also an opportunity to raise awareness and advocate for the
inclusion and empowerment of persons with disabilities in all spheres of life.

**End**