International day of persons with disabilities: a call for inclusion and awareness

Web Desk | 11 months ago

The United Nations General Assembly declared 1981 as the International Year of Disabled Persons, and since then, December 3rd has been observed annually to raise awareness and highlight the issues faced by individuals with disabilities. The day aims to encourage the inclusion and empowerment of persons with disabilities and address their needs.

According to United Nations statistics, approximately 15% of the world’s population consists of individuals with disabilities, with 80% of them living in developing countries. In Pakistan, the number of people with disabilities is estimated to be around 14 million, a significant portion of whom are children.

Among the various types of disabilities in Pakistan, physical disabilities are the most common, accounting for 33% of the disabled population. This is followed by intellectual disabilities at 21%, visual impairments at 15%, and hearing impairments at 9%. Additionally, multidimensional disabilities affect 19% of individuals.

The primary causes of disabilities in Pakistan include malnutrition, genetic factors, war-related circumstances, and natural disasters. On this day, the focus is not only on encouraging persons with disabilities but also on the importance of policymaking to improve their quality of life and create opportunities for their inclusion in society.