PWDAC COMMENDED THE GOVERNMENT FOR INCLUSION OF DISABILITY IN POLICIES, STRUCTURES AND BUDGETING SYSTEM.,

 The Director General of the Persons with Disability Advisory Council (PWDAC), Advocate Nkhasi Sefuthi, said the launch of the Disability Mainstreaming Assessment Report marks an important milestone in Lesotho’s continued commitment to promoting disability inclusion as a matter of human rights, equality, social justice and sustainable development.

Speaking during the launch, Advocate Sefuthi said the assessment was conducted in line with Section 6 of the Persons with Disability Equity Act of 2021, which mandates the council to monitor and assess compliance with disability inclusion obligations across public institutions.

He said the purpose of the assessment was to evaluate the extent to which disability inclusion has been integrated into governance structures, policies, programmes, budgeting systems and service delivery mechanisms within the ministry. He added that the assessment also examined the accessibility and inclusiveness of programmes and services.

Advocate Sefuthi noted that through collaboration with the ministry, notable achievements have been recorded, including the implementation and revision of the National Disability Mainstreaming Plan, the establishment of the Persons with Disability Advisory Council as an independent statutory body, as well as the implementation of the disability grant programme for persons with severe disabilities as a key social protection intervention.

He, however, indicated that despite the progress made, the assessment identified several systemic barriers such as weak institutional coordination, inadequate budget allocations, insufficient consultation with persons with disabilities, as well as inconsistencies in laws and policies.

Source: Lesotho News Agency [LENA]