Benghazi – The Director of the Department of the Disabled and the Elderly at the Ministry of Social Affairs of the Libyan Government, Leila Al-Ojali, affirmed that Libya stands before a “defining moment” that requires moving from seasonal sympathy with persons with disabilities to guaranteeing their full rights.
Al-Ojali stressed, in a statement to the Libyan News Agency on the occasion of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, that improving their conditions can no longer tolerate postponement or partial solutions.
Al-Ojali said that Libya, despite its ratification of the international convention on the rights of this group, still needs bolder steps to activate the convention’s provisions and transform them into practical policies that make a difference in the lives of thousands of citizens.
She explained that many persons with disabilities face daily challenges that include difficulty accessing education and healthcare and limited employment opportunities, in addition to the lack of an accessible environment on roads and in public institutions, which makes them live outside the circle of real participation in society.
She added, we cannot speak of a cohesive society while a significant group is still forced to live on the margins due to the lack of capabilities and appropriate infrastructure.
Al-Ojali indicated that the Department of the Disabled is working on preparing a comprehensive vision that aims to empower persons with disabilities and provide services that guarantee them a dignified life, however, the success of these efforts requires the support of legislative and executive bodies and the allocation of sufficient financial resources to implement the relevant decisions and laws.
She also called on the international community to support Libya in developing programs designated for this group and to enhance the exchange of expertise.
Al-Ojali stressed that persons with disabilities are not a secondary social issue, but rather an integral part of the fabric of Libyan society.
She concluded her statement, “We want the International Day of Persons with Disabilities to transform from a day of reminder to a day where we celebrate what has actually been achieved on the ground.”
