Maseru, July 15 — Slow implementation of laws and policies, limited resources, and the continued marginalisation of persons with disabilities (PWDs) remain main challenges to the full realisation of disability rights in Lesotho.
This was said by Lesotho National Federation of Organisations of the Disabled (LNFOD) Advocacy and Human Rights Officer Mr. Thaabe Moso, during a high-level stakeholder meeting held in Maseru on Wednesday.
The meeting brought together government officials, organisations of persons with disabilities, representatives from the justice sector, and Members of Parliament with the objective to chart a way forward for implementing Lesotho’s commitments under the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD)as well as to promote Lesotho’s accession to the Optional Protocol to the CRPD (OP-CRPD) and the African Disability Protocol.
Mr. Moso said PWDs continue to face marginalisation, discrimination, and stigma in accessing education, healthcare, and employment, indicating that inadequate coordination among stakeholders working to promote disability rights has also hindered progress, as many institutions continue to operate in isolation.
He further explained that the Federation continues to face financial constraints because it relies on unsustainable donor funding, a challenge that also affects its eight member organisations.
He also said lack of reliable disability data remains a challenge, saying data collection tools currently used in the education and health sectors do not adequately capture disability indicators.
On the other hand, Lesotho Persons with Disability Advisory Council (PWDAC) Director General Advocate Nkhasi Sefuthi, said since the Council became operational in April last year, public awareness on its roles and functions remains limited, saying the Council has however begun engaging with both the public and private sectors through awareness campaigns in the districts of the country.
Adv. Sefuthi also pointed out that there is inconsistency in the legal framework governing the Council although the Council is supposed to operate as an independent institution.
“Financial independence has not been guaranteed by the Ministry of Gender, Youth and Social Development as the Council relies on ministry’s funds” he said.
He added that, despite the Council’s mandate to monitor and investigate complaints relating to violations of the rights of persons with disabilities, disability is still marginalised in communities as the majority do not regard it as a human right issue due to persistent negative attitudes and discrimination.
He further noted that non-compliance with the Disability Equality Act by both government institutions and the private sector remains a major challenge, saying the Council has launched a human rights education campaign aimed at ensuring adoption of the human rights model for PWDs.
The Ministry of Gender, Youth and Social Development Director Disability Services Mrs. Mathabo Pama, said the Ministry continues to implement programmes that support vulnerable people across the country, which include disability grants, child grants, and old-age pensions.
She added that the Ministry is also promoting inclusion by providing assistive devices and improving access to healthcare, education, and other essential services for vulnerable people.
ICJ Senior Legal Advisor Adv.Tim Hodgson disclosed that during its engagement with the government of Lesotho, the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities recommended that PWDs at Mohlomi hospital be released, and that various laws be revised to ensure PWDs are protected against discrimination as well as to ensure full and proper resourcing for Lesotho Persons with Disability Advisory Council.
He said the government was also encouraged to ratify important treaties such as the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and Africa Disability Protocol amongst others.
Meanwhile, discussions on the progress towards ratifying the Optional Protocol to the CRPD (OP-CRPD) and Africa Disability Protocol and planning towards the ratification of the latter as well as the implementation of the CRPD committee’s recommendations are continuing.
Ends/LP
