Somalia’s National Disability Agency (NDA) convened a crucial meeting in Mogadishu, bringing together disability organizations, civil society groups, and government ministries. The primary focus was to strategize on incorporating disability issues into Somalia’s upcoming 5-year National Development Plan.
Ali Abdullahi Salad, a member of the NDA’s High Committee, emphasized their commitment to ensuring that persons with disabilities in Somalia can fully realize their rights. “Our goal is to have disability issues mainstreamed into the national development plan that the Somali government is preparing,” he stated.
Mowlid Abdiqadir Bedel, the Director of the NDA, highlighted the agency’s efforts to establish disability as a cross-cutting issue across all sectors, including health, education, justice, and the economy. “We have been working to ensure that disability is not treated as a separate issue but rather integrated into all priority areas for the government,” he explained.
Abdullahi Moose, the representative for the Benadir region, welcomed the initiatives to include disability rights in the national plan. “It is imperative that a thorough assessment is conducted to ensure that persons with disabilities are represented in the national development agenda,” he stated, urging the government to heed the call if disability is not adequately addressed.
Participants with disabilities who attended the meeting hailed it as a historic achievement, marking a significant step towards disability inclusion in Somalia’s development trajectory. They recounted the long struggle to establish the NDA and advocate for disability rights, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to contribute their perspectives to the national plan.
As Somalia prepares its 5-year National Development Plan, the inclusion of disability rights is a crucial step towards building an inclusive and equitable society that upholds the rights and dignity of all its citizens.
