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{
"id": 1176268,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1176268/?format=api",
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"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Lemaltian",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": null,
"content": "is “Transformative Solutions for Inclusive Development: The Role of Innovation in Fuelling an Accessible and Equitable World”. The International Day of Persons With Disabilities was first established by the United Nations in 1992 and continues to promote disability mainstreaming and mobilise global support around disability advocacy and awareness. On 3rd December every year, Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) across the world, as well as the non-disabled, come together to promote the rights and freedoms, dignity and well-being of approximately 1.2 billion persons with disabilities, which is 15 per cent of the population worldwide, in all spheres of society and to increase awareness of the historical exclusions and inequalities that have plagued persons with disabilities in health, political, social, economic and cultural life. Mr. D eputy Speaker, Sir, the 2022 theme calls on countries to focus particularly on innovation for disability inclusive programs in line with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) No. 8 on promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth, plus full and productive employment for all, and SDG No. 10 on reducing inequalities within and among countries. In this regard, government bodies as well as non-governmental organizations in various countries, are putting together different activities and events to join the rest of the world in emphasizing the importance of strengthening our collective efforts for universal access to essential services including; health, social protection, education, digital infrastructure, accessible information and the diverse socio-cultural opportunities that persons with disabilities have a legitimate right to enjoy. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, the desire toward a more equitable and inclusive Kenya is evident in our Constitution. Article 54 (2) which mandates that the State shall ensure that at least per cent of the members of the public in elective and appointive bodies are persons with disabilities. However, 12 years on, this has not come close to being achieved. What has come to be known as “the 5 per cent rule” in Kenya has been ignored by our private sector, public sector and most unfortunately, by the Executive in the recent appointments of Cabinet and Permanent Secretaries, who are the key implementors of the inclusive development that persons with disabilities in Kenya are so adamantly after. We urge our Government to be at the forefront of championing inclusive development, because when the state leads by example, our counties, and our African counterparts, will follow. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I wish to laud Kenya on the achievements it has made so far in disability inclusion, such as the establishment of inter alia the Economic Empowerment Fund, the National Council of Persons with Disabilities Career Portal and the Access to Government Procurement Opportunities (AGPO) program. However, these and other programs still face systemic challenges in being fully implemented, therefore, giving the current Government opportunities for improvement. Additional areas that PWDs can be further empowered on include, progressive allocations of funds for assistive equipment, accessible infrastructure and inclusive"
}