Disability shocker!

While Botswana has 59 103 people with disabilities, representing 2.9 percent of the population, only 90 of these are employed by government, a two-day National Disability Framework Consultative conference heard this week. Some 40 disability organisations had converged to disucss the conditions under which People with Disabilities live.Disability organisations took turns to express their displeasure at the way people with disabilities are treated in Botswana. According to the World Report on Disability, whilst the international disability status is estimated at 10 percent by the World Health Organisation (WHO), in Botswana there are 59 103 people with disabilities, representing a 2.9 percent of the population. This figure includes all categories of disability conditions such as visual, hearing, intellectual and physical impairments. The Central District has the highest number of people with disabilities at 20 167, while the lowest is Sowa Town at 46. Coordinator of the National Disability Policy and Mainstreaming Strategy, Thomas Motingwa said his office has made strides in ensuring that people with disabilities are given the attention they deserve. He cited that more than 90 people with disabilities are employed by government through affirmative action. Wabotlhe Chimidza of the Botswana Federation of the Disabled said this was a drop in the ocean for Botswana to boast about. Motingwa said more will be employed through partnerships with the private sector. “Right now we have about 10 more people with hearing impairments that are employed by a local diamond company, and an additional 10 is expected to raise the total number to 20,” Motingwa said, adding that companies like Choppies have also made a commitment to continually employ people with disabilities. He said that government has since 2015 provided social safety net to people with disabilities. So far more than 6 000 people have benefited from disability allowance. Government in partnership with other organisations has developed strategies to address various disability impairments such as visual, hearing and physical impairments. Botswana Council for the Disabled Executive Director, Sekgabo Ramsay said the rights of people with disabilities in Botswana are still being violated, stating that it is now time for government to protect the rights of people with disabilities. “Among other things we need to ensure that there is no new building that is not made accessible to people with disabilities,” she said. Others lamented that people with disabilities are often sidelined at work despite beinig capable. Moatshe Motoma of Itekeng Batswana Disability Association was furious that some of the issues they have been advocating for are still pending. He said people with disabilities are vulnerable to being hurt emotionally and psychologically due to discrimination, as well as negative attitudes. The meeting also heard that people with disabilities are more vulnerable to violence as well as abuse by society and family members.