On 15 December 2016, UNAMID's Communications and Public Information Section, in collaboration with the El Fasher Disabled Union, North Darfur, commemorated the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, under the theme “Achieving 17 Goals for the Future We Want.”

Activities to mark the day, which aimed to highlight the role of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by the United Nations, in building a more inclusive and equitable world for persons with disabilities, included a carnival, traditional music and distribution of certificates to graduating students with disabilities from El Fasher University.

The event was attended by Fatima Mohamed, Minister of Social Affairs, North Darfur, and Margaret Masenda-Simbi, Head, UNAMID Gender Advisory Unit, along with other government officials and UNAMID staff.

In her remarks, Minister Mohamed called upon all sectors of society to provide psychological and social support to ensure that persons with disabilities are active members and can contribute to the 17 UN SDGs. She urged the UN to establish a programme for persons with disabilities.

“The Government of Sudan is taking measures including the amendment of laws to facilitate the movement of the disabled persons to participate effectively in the attainment of the sustainable development goals,” added Ms. Ibrahim.  

Reading UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message, Ms. Masenda-Simbi urged national and local governments, businesses and all actors in society to intensify efforts to end discrimination and remove the environmental and attitude obstacles that prevent persons with disabilities from enjoying their civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights.

“Let us work together for the full and equal participation of persons with disabilities in an inclusive and sustainable world that embraces humanity in all its diversity,” she stated.

Speaking at the event, Mohamed Ibrahim, Chair, North Darfur Society for Disabled Persons, appealed to the Government of Sudan, UNAMID and UN agencies to reach out to persons with disabilities in the localities. “These people are in need of support to be integrate in the society and participate in development,” said Mr. Mohamed.

Since 1992, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities has been celebrated annually on 3 December across the world.  The UN General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities on 13 December 2006.