Disability lies in barriers, not people – Witbooi
Govt launches roadmap to empower
Vice President Lucia Witbooi says Namibia’s newly launched revised National Policy on Disability is founded on the principle that disability is not a personal limitation but a reflection of the barriers created by society.
She said such barriers persist in physical infrastructure, communication, education, employment, and, at times, in people’s attitudes.
Speaking at the launch on Monday, Witbooi said the revised policy replaces the 1997 version and reaffirms Namibia’s commitment to equality, dignity and non-discrimination for all Namibians.
“By embracing a rights-based approach, this policy ensures that persons with disabilities are no longer viewed as recipients of charity but as active citizens, leaders and contributors to the cause of our national development. This is not only a matter of social justice; it is a matter of economic and moral necessity,” she stressed.
The VP underscored that Namibia will not achieve its national development goals if it ignores a segment of society.
"Therefore, persons with disabilities, through this revised policy, are worthy of inclusion in the developmental agenda of our government,” Witbooi said.
She highlighted that the revision of the outdated policy was not merely a formality and included input from persons with disabilities, their representative organisations, policymakers, service providers and development partners.
The process revealed key challenges that persons with disabilities continue to face, she said, including limited access to education and employment, inadequate healthcare services, inaccessible infrastructure, and under-representation at decision-making levels.
Clear implementation roadmap
The revised policy aims to close these gaps by creating a framework that guarantees equal access, participation and protection from discrimination in every aspect of life.
"It speaks directly to our constitutional values and to Namibia’s commitment to human dignity, equality before the law and freedom from discrimination," the VP added.
She noted further that the costed implementation plan, 'Turning Words into Action', is central to the policy’s success.
“A policy is only as strong as its implementation. The costed implementation plan that accompanies this revised policy is therefore a powerful tool, a roadmap that transforms commitments into measurable actions. It clearly defines what needs to be done, by whom, when, and with what resources,” Witbooi said.
“Through this plan, Namibia is saying: we are serious about results. We are moving from policy statements to policy delivery, from promises to performance," she added.
The revised plan identifies priority areas such as access to inclusive education at all levels; employment and economic empowerment opportunities; accessible healthcare and rehabilitation; infrastructure and transport accessibility; inclusive disaster risk management; empowerment of organisations of persons with disabilities and caretakers of persons with disabilities; representation in decision-making; and strengthening the capacity of the disability sector itself.
Do it together
She noted further that the policy objectives are costly and will be monitored and evaluated through practical strategies to ensure that the rights of persons with disabilities are not aspirational but actionable.
"The launching of this revised policy today is not the end of the process but the beginning of a new era of partnership and accountability," Witbooi said.
"The government cannot walk this path alone. The implementation of this policy will require the active participation of every sector ministry, regional and local authorities, the private sector, academia, civil society and persons with disabilities themselves. I therefore call upon all of us to work together to integrate disability inclusion into our strategic plans, budgets, and programmes.”
[email protected]
She said such barriers persist in physical infrastructure, communication, education, employment, and, at times, in people’s attitudes.
Speaking at the launch on Monday, Witbooi said the revised policy replaces the 1997 version and reaffirms Namibia’s commitment to equality, dignity and non-discrimination for all Namibians.
“By embracing a rights-based approach, this policy ensures that persons with disabilities are no longer viewed as recipients of charity but as active citizens, leaders and contributors to the cause of our national development. This is not only a matter of social justice; it is a matter of economic and moral necessity,” she stressed.
The VP underscored that Namibia will not achieve its national development goals if it ignores a segment of society.
"Therefore, persons with disabilities, through this revised policy, are worthy of inclusion in the developmental agenda of our government,” Witbooi said.
She highlighted that the revision of the outdated policy was not merely a formality and included input from persons with disabilities, their representative organisations, policymakers, service providers and development partners.
The process revealed key challenges that persons with disabilities continue to face, she said, including limited access to education and employment, inadequate healthcare services, inaccessible infrastructure, and under-representation at decision-making levels.
Clear implementation roadmap
The revised policy aims to close these gaps by creating a framework that guarantees equal access, participation and protection from discrimination in every aspect of life.
"It speaks directly to our constitutional values and to Namibia’s commitment to human dignity, equality before the law and freedom from discrimination," the VP added.
She noted further that the costed implementation plan, 'Turning Words into Action', is central to the policy’s success.
“A policy is only as strong as its implementation. The costed implementation plan that accompanies this revised policy is therefore a powerful tool, a roadmap that transforms commitments into measurable actions. It clearly defines what needs to be done, by whom, when, and with what resources,” Witbooi said.
“Through this plan, Namibia is saying: we are serious about results. We are moving from policy statements to policy delivery, from promises to performance," she added.
The revised plan identifies priority areas such as access to inclusive education at all levels; employment and economic empowerment opportunities; accessible healthcare and rehabilitation; infrastructure and transport accessibility; inclusive disaster risk management; empowerment of organisations of persons with disabilities and caretakers of persons with disabilities; representation in decision-making; and strengthening the capacity of the disability sector itself.
Do it together
She noted further that the policy objectives are costly and will be monitored and evaluated through practical strategies to ensure that the rights of persons with disabilities are not aspirational but actionable.
"The launching of this revised policy today is not the end of the process but the beginning of a new era of partnership and accountability," Witbooi said.
"The government cannot walk this path alone. The implementation of this policy will require the active participation of every sector ministry, regional and local authorities, the private sector, academia, civil society and persons with disabilities themselves. I therefore call upon all of us to work together to integrate disability inclusion into our strategic plans, budgets, and programmes.”
[email protected]
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article