Independent Living briefly
Compiled & edited by Jennifer Geagan (Jennifer@wid.org)
Philippine President Declares 2003-2012 Philippine Decade of Disabled Persons
President Gloria Arroyo of The Philippines recently declared 2003-2012 as the Philippine Decade of Disabled Persons and has directed the National Council for the Welfare of Disabled Persons to develop a comprehensive National Plan of Action that will translate the objectives of the Magna Carta for Filipinos with Disabilities (Republic Act 7277) and the Accessibility Law (Republic Act 344) into programs of action for the Decade. Filipino government agencies have been ordered to implement plans, programs and activities based on the National Plan of Action. Disability groups in the Philippines have applauded President Arroyo's support and her declaration, the first ever for persons with disabilities in The Philippines.
Disabled Afghans Protest in Kabul for Social Benefits
In December, approximately 300 disabled Afghans including women and children marched through the streets of Kabul and held a demonstration in front of the presidential palace. The population of Afghanistan reportedly has the highest percentage of disabled people in the world and much the result of 23 years of war, occupation and landmines. Although the administration of President Hamid Karzai has said that they are working to increase benefits paid to persons with disabilities (the equivalent of US$2 per month) through the chronically under funded and primarily symbolic Ministry of the Disabled and Martyrs, the protestors have threatened to continue demonstrating until their demands are met.
African Disability Organizations Ask for Support for the African Decade of Disabled Persons (2000-2009)
The African Decade of Disabled Persons was declared in 1999, and African disability organizations including the Pan African Federation of the Disabled (PAFOD) and the Southern Africa Federation of the Disabled (SAFOD) have been and continue to organize and work on a range of activities in support of the Decade. The African disability groups already involved in the Decade are encouraging others to become involved and would like to hear about current activities and plans for future action. To share information or for more information about the African Decade, contact either the PAFOD (P.O. Box 2213, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe; Tel: +263-9-66763 or Fax: +263-9-883899 or Email: pafod@telconet.co.zw) or SAFOD (P.O. Box 2247, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe; Tel: +263-9-69356 or Fax: +263-9-74398 or Email: safod@telconet.co.zw).
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