Persons with disabilities in Coast Region to benefit from Uwezo project

KIBAHA: COMMUNITIES in the Coast Region have been urged to value people living with disabilities and to effectively involve them in social and development opportunities to help them utilise their talents and achieve economic empowerment.

The call was made by the Regional Adult Education Officer, Mr Albert Machua, who represented the Regional Administrative Secretary (RAS), Ms Pili Mnyema, during the introduction of the Uwezo Wangu project.

The project will be implemented by the Peace Life for Persons with Disability Foundation (PLPDF) at the Regional Headquarters in Kibaha Municipal Council.

“It is important for society to change its perspective and remove barriers that deny people with disabilities opportunities in education and employment. Doing so will enable them to participate in building a sustainable and productive economy,” he said.

PLPDF Director, Ms Sophia Mbeyela, said the project aims to empower girls and women with disabilities by equipping them with life skills, entrepreneurship training, and awareness on the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), also known as ADB in Swahili.

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The first phase of the project targets 100 women and girls with disabilities, who will later help spread the knowledge to others in their communities.

The Uwezo Wangu project also aims to build confidence among women and girls with disabilities and enable them to make use of available opportunities in their surroundings without being limited by their condition.

In the Coast Region, the project will be implemented in Kibaha Municipal Council and Bagamoyo Town Council.