by Marie Kauna – EMTV Online, Port Moresby
People living with disabilities in the Solomon Islands are marginalised and their access to basic services such as education, health and water are limited. The battle continues for many and despite their efforts to ask for support, many calls fall on deaf ears.
In a meeting last week with the Prime Minister Manaseh Sogovare, People with Disability Solomon Islands have made a call, urging the prime minister to ratify the UN Disability Convention to protect the human rights of people living with disabilities.
The UN Disability Convention promotes and protects people living with disabilities and helps them have equal access and freedom to basic government services. Apart from this, the convention also promotes respect for people living with disabilities.
President of the organisation Casper Fa’asala said “people living with disability in Solomon Islands are marginalised and have limited access to basic services like education, healthcare and clean water”.
He believes that if the treaty is ratified by the Prime Minister, it would create networks and encourage more comprehensive society for people with disabilities.
This will help them have access to basic government services like other people and encourage more engagement with those who are not disabled in society.
