LAUNCH OF THE PAPUA NEW GUINEA NATIONAL POLICY FOR DISABILITY 2015 -2025

 Ms Anna Solomon seated attentively as Minister Gore delivers her speech

“It is my duty as the Minister responsible to ensure that my Department receives the much needed support to effectively coordinate the implementation of this National Policy on Disability.” Hon. Delilah Gore, MP

Papua New Guinea National Policy on Disability 2015 to 2025 was officially launched on the 27^th of May 2015 by Hon. Delilah Gore, MP the Minister for Religion, Youth & Community Development after almost seven (7) years since it was reviewed in the year 2009.

Present at the launching was the special guest of honor, the Prime Minister, Hon. Peter O’Neil who showed great support through his speech delivery and assured the Department of Community Development, Religion & Youth’s Secretary, Ms Anna Solomon that that the government will be closely monitoring its progress till its fully functional.

The National Policy on Disability 2015 – 2025 is our national strategy and plan of action for the disability sector in the next 10 years. The policy is focused on promoting responsible and coordinated action to remove barriers that hinder Persons with Disabilities from enjoying the same rights as others.

The policy was finalized on the basis of an extensive review of the 2009 National Disability Policy. The timing of this revised policy is very significant. 

Prime Minister greeting the disables during the occasion

Whilst it supports the government’s wider development agenda stipulated in the Alotau Accord addressing the objectives of Vision 2050, on the other hand, it serves as a plan for meeting Papua New Guinea’s commitments arising from our government’s ratification of the Convention on the Rights for Persons With Disabilities (CRPD) which PNG ratified in September 2013. But of major importance is the Guide this Policy provides for Papua New Guinea to work in collaboration to ensuring the rights of our persons with disabilities becomes a reality in PNG.

The National Policy on Disability provides guidance in the unique environment of PNG. We are well placed to embrace the disability rights agenda. Our society is founded on kin and community approaches where caring for extended community members is a traditional norm. The policy builds on this, via the Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR) approach which seeks to organize communities and service providers at local levels to deliver services and support to Persons with Disabilities in a collaborative way.

Minister Gore took the opportunity during her presentation to inform the National Government and all stakeholders that this Policy captures existing and new priorities that will be implemented in the next ten years. 

The ten year plan is annexed to this policy and highlights three major players.

1. Government-Improved Institutional Framework, Performance Management and Financing Arrangements focused around implementing the Policy Action Plan.

2. PNG Association of Disabled Persons including Provincial Disable Persons organization- Promoting and protecting the rights of Persons with Disabilities through organized networking and support for advocates and change agents.

3. National Board for Disabled Persons its affiliates- Improving delivery of disability services, using inclusive development and Community Based Rehabilitation approaches to positively impact Persons with Disabilities.

These changes are necessary in order for the Department in collaboration with Provincial Community Development Divisions to promote ownership of the agenda, and to ensure team workmanship with our partners and stakeholders involved in Disability programs to deliver our government’s development agenda in addressing the needs of Persons with Disabilities in the country.

This policy is for all Papua New Guineans. In line with its vision: “Remove Barriers, Make Rights Real” it’s goal centers on setting up systems and structures to support a broad based approach to removing barriers that prevent Persons With Disabilities (PWD) from enjoying equal rights and access to services. 

"REMOVING BARRIERS, MAKE THEIR RIGHTS REAL"

Many times resources from economic growth are not transferred to vulnerable communities. Persons with Disabilities as citizens of this nation deserve to be included and benefit from the wealth of the Nation.

(Standing) Rose Launch is a Sign Language Interpreter

--

The government will be giving pensions for Persons with Disabilities to mitigate and protect them from falling into poverty and to unlock their potential to contribute to the development of this nation.

"It is my duty as Minister responsible to ensure that my Department receives the much needed support to effectively coordinate the implementation of this National Policy on Disability. Many of our partners are already delivering these services through their programs. I am committed to ensuring Government supports through grants to continue to the great efforts by our partners," said Ms Gore.

Other commendable stakeholders who have actively been involved in caring for the people with disabilities with little government support were acknowledged during the occasion;

These organizations include;

Papua New Guinea Assembly of Disabled Persons (PNGADP), the Disabled Persons Organizations (DPO) network and the National Board for Disabled Persons (NBDP) and its affiliates, as well as the private sector inputs from groups such as DS International. And other development partners especially

Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS), the United Nations Economic and Social Commission (UNESCAP), the United Nations Child Fund (UNICEF), the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and especially the Australian Government through their Strongim Pipol Strongim Nesen (SPSN) program.

THE PRINCIPLES

To  address the issues facing Person with Disabilities in PNG, the National Policy on Disability adopts its guiding principles from the PNG National Constitution and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability:

> Non-Discrimination
   Persons With Disabilities must never be treated with worse than others, excluded from or denied
   access to services, education, work, tribal or social life on the basis of their disability.

> PNG Ways
   Ensuring positive aspects of our traditional communal care and support practices are recognized and
   applied to support Person;s with Disabilities.

> Respect
   Every person is of equal worth and deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. Persons With
   Disabilities have the right the choose how to live their own lives and the freedom to make their own
   choices. These rights must respect.

> Participation & Inclusion
   Full and effective participation and inclusion in society must be supported at every level from
   household to tribal levels up to formal workplace and business settings for Persons With Disabilities.

> Respect for Differences
   Acceptance for Persons With Disabilities as part of human diversity and humanity.

> Acknowledging Different Classes of Disabilities
   Meaning equal support for all classes of disability.

> Equality of Opportunity
   Taking action to ensure barriers are removed.

> Accessibility
   Ensuring Persons With Disabilities can access buildings, housing, services, information, and leisure on
   an equal basis to others who are not Persons With Disabilities.

> Equality between Men and Women

> Respect for Children with Disabilities (CWD's) and their development

> Respect for Elderly Persons
   Some of whom are at risk of acquiring disabilities as they age.

   Prime Minister delivering his supportive speech