The local workshop on inclusivity for persons with disability held in Honiara has ended.
Irwin Angika a staff reporter with the Island Sun newspaper attended the three day workshop and filed his report in the newspaper today, Sunday, from which I quote.
On Tuesday participants at the workshop were resolved to speak up, share and learn networking for the greater inclusivity for the PWD.
Mr., Casper Fa’asala, Manager of PWDSI (Persons with Disability of Solomon Islands), in closing the workshop on Friday said he would prefer calling it an adjournment, hinting at the need and prospects of more dialogues to come.
He said that the workshop’s end rather signalled the start of participants going forth and spreading the word on the concepts and contexts learnt.
Ms. Rashmi Chary of UNDP, in her remarks, concurred with Mr. Fa’asala, by reminding all stakeholders including the media: “We’ll keep this conversation going because from the four days we’ve spent together, we’ve built our confidence to talk openly with one another. And, we’ll just keep going because there are plenty resources.
“The most powerful [resource] is hearing the actual day to day experiences from this community [persons with disability]. That has been a privilege.
“It is important that social inclusion is not just a box-ticking exercise or bringing people together.
We have to be including everyone. Now it’s also not just about walking the talk, but also actioning the promises.
“During the workshop, a lot of things have been gained, and the conversations will continue as friendships and networks strengthened over time, that is important,” Ms Chary concluded.
Ms Naomi Tai, the workshop lead facilitator, who is living with a disability, and has been a community worker since 2009, said that the value of the workshop for her provided a space in which nearly 30 persons with disability came face-to-face with stakeholders such as the media, UNDP, the Ministry of women (MWYCFA), the Ministry of Health (MHMS), Parliament, Strongim Bisnis, civil society organisations via the Development Services Exchange (DSE), and the Ministry of Justice.
“Through this space the PWD community representatives could share their life experiences and convey their preferences to help society become more inclusive.
A visually impaired participant speaking for others with sight impairment said, “We are not stopping here. Let’s add on to what we’ve built here. Let the fruits of our discussions help in making our country a more inclusive one for persons with disability.”
The workshop ended off with a presentation on Covid-19 by Dr. Divinal Ogaoga, the chair of the Technical Working Group for the MHMS.
Dr.Ogaoga made simple what Covid-19 is how it spreads, Covid variants, measures to help avoid getting it, Covid-19 vaccination and why it is important that all should get vaccinated.
Following Dr. Ogaoga’s talk, it was agreed that an arrangement be made to get participants with disability, including others not present at the workshop, vaccinated.
Casper Fa’asala, in closing remarks conveyed to the workshop that the issues raised at the workshop had reached parliament level. He said earlier in the day he had had an audience with the parliament’s Bills and Legislations Committee (BLC).
“I informed the BLC, of the workshop when I went before them regarding the public health bill they are sitting to consider.
“I brought our collective message to the BLC. I hope it is taken onboard including some of the suggestions I gave them.
“The BLC is interested in knowing more about the PWD community and asked how many PWD we have in the country.
“I will submit a detailed data report to BLC on Monday.”
Mr.Fa’asala also announced that the WHO (World Health Organisation) will launch a framework called ‘Action the Promises’.
He explains that such a framework was important to further the cause of the PWD community as it could result in the fulfillment of the many promises that the government had given to the PWD community.
Footnotes
The workshop was run by the UNDP in partnership with PWDSI and Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs through the Public Solicitor’s Office.
The objectives of the workshop were to
-Collate approaches, practices and tools applied by the PSO and the broader justice sector within the context of PWDs.
– Reflect on the participation and perspectives of PWDs, drawing from their direct experiences with the justice system.
– Design information dissemination tools and products that are closely linked with PWDs experience with the justice sector and with their vision for full participation.
– Share experiences of different actors in developing approaches, practices and tools to support PWDs, for potential use by the project and the broader justice sector.
Comment.
I congratulate all involved with the 3 day workshop and very much hope the outcome and findings from the workshop will ensure better understanding of the issues concerning persons with disability, their rights, needs and support from the government, the WHO, the UNDP, development partners of the Solomon Islands government and the wider community generally, particularly at the community level for better inclusiveness, empathy, consideration, understanding and compassion.
Yours sincerely
Frank Short
