In its endeavor to strengthen the presence and advocacy for the issues of persons with disabilities, the National Network for Advocating the Rights of Persons with Disabilities participated in a panel discussion organized by the Masar Al-Salam (Path to Peace) Initiative under the slogan:
“No peace is built in the absence of anyone, and no policies are drawn without the participation of everyone.”
The session, titled: “Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in the Peace Process and Public Policies in Yemen,” hosted a select group of speakers, including:
- Mr. Ahmed Sulaiman, the new Representative of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Yemen.
- Mr. Jihad Saleh, the Network’s official for the wounded file, Head of the Mine and Remnants Clearance Association, and Vice President of the Powerchair Football Union, who addressed the impact of the conflict and war on the conditions of the injured and wounded persons with disabilities and ways to protect and reintegrate them.
- Eng. Omar, the National Network’s official for the climate and environment file, a researcher at the Marine Science and Aquatic Biology Research Authority, Hadramout, who reviewed the repercussions of climate change and natural disasters on persons with disabilities and the necessity of including them in response and adaptation plans.
- Dr. Marwa Al-Habari, the Network’s official in the northern regions, who highlighted the specific challenges faced by women and children with disabilities amid conflicts and humanitarian crises.
The session was skillfully moderated by the facilitator Al-Rumaisaa Yaqoub, with sign language interpretation provided by Ms. Iman Al-Qudsi to ensure inclusive participation.
The workshop emphasized that comprehensive peace cannot be achieved without including the voice of persons with disabilities, and that public policies in Yemen must take their needs into account in various fields, from reconstruction to social protection, all the way to climate response.
The recommendations issued from the session are expected to contribute to building a common ground for more inclusive and sustainable national policies in cooperation with governmental and international actors.