Walk on International Day of Persons with Disabilities, 09, Ded 2011

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Summary Report: ……………….1

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Summary Report:

An awareness walk was held on Friday, December 09, 2011 with the aim to promote a better

understanding of disability issues and to raise awareness among the public about the rights of

persons with disabilities. Telenor Pakistan sponsored the event as part of its Khuddar

Pakistan program to commemorate International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD), which

is held every year on December 3.

Major partners of the walk included the Directorate General of Special Education, Social

Welfare, Child Welfare & Development and STEP (Special Talent Exchange Program).

Organizations that participated included, Pakistan Association of the Blind, and Ministry of

Human Rights.

The participants — which included persons with disabilities, representatives of both public and

private sector Disabled Persons Organizations, and Telenor Pakistan employees — began the

walk on Jinnah Avenue starting from China Chowk and ending near Parliament House. Special

permission was obtained from the authorities for the walk to take place.

Anjum Rahman, Director Corporate Communications & Responsibility, Telenor Pakistan

speaking on the occasion said: “The purpose of our Khuddar Pakistan program is to help create

dignity for persons with disabilities by working with them and highlighting their abilities. We

have been working with our partners for the past two years as part of our corporate

responsibility initiatives. One of our major achievements has been the ratification by the

government of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. We hope today’s

walk will help in implementation of the Convention.”

Fazli Wadood, Director (Special Education), Islamabad in his comments said: “With more than

10% of Pakistan’s population having some kind of disability, it is imperative that this large

section of our society is given its due rights. Rehabilitation of persons with disabilities and

inclusion in mainstream work will enable this segment to become productive citizens of

Pakistan. I appreciate the work being done by Telenor Pakistan in this field and its efforts to

empower disabled persons organizations and disabled persons.”

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Atif Sheikh, President STEP emphasized in his speech the need of national mechanism for

implementation of UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities with a due

representation of disabled persons at policy making and implementation level. He also stressed

the need of an anti discrimination law to ensure the mainstreaming of disability in all facilities

available for citizens.

In other cities too Telenor Pakistan observed the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

In Lahore, it co-sponsored an event organized by the Rotary Club Lahore Garrison where

speakers highlighted the work of their organizations in rehabilitating persons with disabilities.

In Nawabshah, Telenor Pakistan is sponsoring a day-long seminar on December 10, the

objective of which is to provide insights into the issues of disability inclusion.

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