Author: Madrama James | Published: 3 hours ago
Deaf Empowerment Society (DES) members|Photo Credit-Madrama James
The Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare on Monday launched the Deaf Empowerment Society (DES), a new initiative aimed at advancing advocacy, inclusion, and support for the deaf community in South Sudan.
The society seeks to create a safe space for people with hearing disabilities while promoting equal opportunities and empowerment across the country.
Speaking during the launch, the Undersecretary in the Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare, Adeng Andrew Malual Leek, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to adopting inclusive policies that ensure persons with disabilities are represented and consulted in decision-making processes.
“South Sudan remains committed to promoting inclusive policies and ensuring that persons with disabilities are represented and consulted in decision-making processes. Inclusion must be reflected not only in words, but also in our budgets, programs, institutions, schools, workplaces and communities,” Adeng said.
She added that the ministry would continue working to turn those commitments into reality through proper follow-up and implementation.
At the same event, Joyce Dikun, Information Secretary for the South Sudan Women with Disabilities Network, called for the expansion of sign language interpretation services beyond Juba to reach people living in the states.
“Those at the grassroots are the most vulnerable and are suffering a lot. Let these services also be extended to the grassroots,” Dikun appealed.
Meanwhile, the Chief Executive Officer of the Deaf Empowerment Society, Henry Jackson, urged the public to stop discriminating against persons with disabilities and emphasized the need for sign language training and greater support for children with hearing impairments.
“Children with hearing impairment should be given a chance to go to school because they also have knowledge and can become like other people,” Jackson said.
The launch event was organized by the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) in collaboration with the Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare.
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