LNFOD Executive Director Adv Nkhasi Sefuthi
Limpho Sello
THE LESOTHO National Federation of Organisations of the Disabled (LNFOD) this week collaborated with their affiliate organisations to introduce a capacity development programme for the promotion of the rights of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in 14 community councils in different parts of the country.
The programme, which is supported by Diakonie Austria, through the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) and Bread for the World began on Tuesday with meetings with councillors to create awareness of the programme and outline its benefits.
Yesterday, LNFOD Executive Director, Advocate Nkhasi Sefuthi told the Lesotho Times that the programme was “expected to enhance the livelihoods of people with disabilities living in the programme areas through training on human rights and self-advocacy, small scale business management and establishment of income generating activities for people with disabilities”.
Adv Sefuthi said they would also train teachers and the public on children with disabilities’ rights to education as a way of ensuring the latter would not be deprived of access to education.
He said there was also need for the drafting, adoption and implementation of an improved inclusive education policy in the country which would fully benefit children with disabilities.
He said in addition, the programme would strengthen the inclusion of people with disabilities in the health sector through the training of health workers on disability inclusion.
“Most importantly, the programme is advocating for the domestication of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities through the enactment of the disability specific legislation namely, the Disability Equity Bill.
“If the new Parliament of Lesotho passes this bill, people with disabilities will be able to enforce their rights through the courts of law,” he said.
