GITEGA December 12th (ABP) – Burundi Prime Minister Gervais Ndirakobuca enhanced with his presence, Thursday December 7, 2023 in Gitega (center of the country), the ceremonies marking the celebration of the International Day of Disabled Persons.
That day was coupled with the celebration of the Golden Jubilee of the national orthopedic and rehabilitation center (CNAR).
These ceremonies were organized by the Ministry of National Solidarity, Social Affairs, Human Rights and Gender in collaboration with its partners under the international theme: “United in action to save and achieve the Development Goals (SDG) for, with and by people with disabilities”. They began with a thanksgiving mass which was celebrated at the Rukundo parish in the presence of the Prime Minister, the governor of Gitega, the director general of the INSS and other authorities of the country.
In his speech, the president of the Union of Disabled People in Burundi, Pierre Claver Seberege, warmly thanked the government of Burundi which continues to support people living with disabilities. To this end, he welcomed the step already taken in this area but that there are still challenges to be resolved.
Mr. Seberege called on the government of Burundi to combat with all energy beggars and people who use people living with disabilities by begging, to punish anyone who rapes disabled girls and women, to increase the budget allocated in this sector, to put in place implementing texts of Law No. 1/3 of January 10, 2018 on the promotion and protection of the rights of people with disabilities in Burundi.
Mr. Seberege also asked the government of Burundi to support all teachers in centers that accommodate people with disabilities, to promote the use of sign language as well as the writing of Braille and to make positive discrimination by promoting free education for disabled people, especially in boarding establishments, etc.
Speaking, the Minister in charge of national solidarity, Mrs. Imelde Sabushimike congratulated the management of the CNAR for its involvement in the development of the said center since its creation in 1973. She also congratulated the government of Burundi for the efforts made in the sector of education by favoring inclusive education, by implementing Law No. 1/3 of January 10, 2018 on the promotion and protection of the rights of persons with disabilities in Burundi as well as the establishment of the protection support fund social, because according to her, no one chooses to live with a disability.
Minister Sabushimike reported that more than 1,500 houses for people with disabilities have already been built and those who are able to build their houses continue to benefit from the sheets free of charge. Based on this, she invited international organizations and all people of good faith to support people with disabilities so that they too contribute to the transformation of Burundi into an emerging country in 2040 and a developed country in 2060.
The Prime Minister of the Republic pointed out that Burundi cannot under any circumstances be an emerging country in 2040 when there are mouths that do not have to eat and pockets that do not have money as well as beggars on the roads.
He encouraged all associations, whether national, private or religious, which support disabled people. In fact, he called on all people with means, including investors, to intervene in this area.
Responding to the various questions raised by the representative of disabled people at the national level, the Prime Minister indicated that always thinking about the co-optation of disabled people in decision-making structures is a sign of weakness. He invited them to participate in political parties like other Burundians, because, he added, the government works for the well-being of Burundians.
The Prime Minister also called for the establishment of sustainable projects that will support Burundi in its development programs so that the budget allocated in this sector is increased.
Let us point out that he finally called on Burundians to respond each time to the national day dedicated to local solidarity. It is for this reason that he offered food consisting of rice, beans and cottonseed oil and non-food items such as wheelchairs to the various centers which accommodate people with disabilities in Burundi.