An awareness walk was held today with the aim to promote a better understanding of disability issues and to raise awareness among the public about the rights of persons with disabilities. Telenor Pakistan sponsored the event as part of its Khuddar Pakistan program to commemorate International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD), which is held every year on December 3.
Major partners of the walk included the Directorate General of Special Education, Social Welfare, Child Welfare & Development and STEP (Special Talent Exchange Program). Organizations that participated included Saaya Association, Pakistan Association of the Blind, Iradah Foundation, and Ministry of Human Rights.
The participants — which included persons with disabilities, representatives of both public and private sector Disabled Persons Organizations, and Telenor Pakistan employees — began the walk on Jinnah Avenue starting from China Chowk and ending near Parliament House. Special permission was obtained from the authorities for the walk to take place.
Anjum Rahman, Director Corporate Communications & Responsibility, Telenor Pakistan speaking on the occasion said: “The purpose of our Khuddar Pakistan program is to help create dignity for persons with disabilities by working with them and highlighting their abilities. We have been working with our partners for the past two years as part of our corporate responsibility initiatives. One of our major achievements has been the ratification by the government of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. We hope today’s walk will help in implementation of the Convention.”
Fazli Wadood, Director (Special Education), Islamabad in his comments said: “With more than 10% of Pakistan’s population having some kind of disability, it is imperative that this large section of our society is given its due rights. Rehabilitation of persons with disabilities and inclusion in mainstream work will enable this segment to become productive citizens of Pakistan. I appreciate the work being done by Telenor Pakistan in this field and its efforts to empower disabled persons organizations and disabled persons.”
In other cities too Telenor Pakistan observed the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. In Lahore, it co-sponsored an event organized by the Rotary Club Lahore Garrison where speakers highlighted the work of their organizations in rehabilitating persons with disabilities. In Nawabshah, Telenor Pakistan is sponsoring a day-long seminar on December 10, the objective of which is to provide insights into the issues of disability inclusion.
