December 3rd marked the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD), established to raise awareness about disability issues and to promote the rights and well-being of individuals with disabilities. This year's observance, themed “Amplifying the Leadership of Persons with Disabilities for an Inclusive and Sustainable Future,” drew attention to the significance of empowering persons with disabilities and ensuring their voices are heard in decision-making processes worldwide.
Countries around the globe commemorated this important day through various events and initiatives aimed at promoting inclusivity, celebrating diversity, and showing commitment to advancing disability rights. Let's take a closer look at some of the notable events and initiatives from different regions to highlight the importance of this global observance.
MTN Nigeria hosted a significant event to celebrate the IDPD, emphasizing the necessity of leadership among persons with disabilities. Karl Toriola, CEO of MTN Nigeria, represented by Babalola Oyeleye, Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer, expressed the company’s commitment to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion within its operations. Toriola stated, "MTN is committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion, and also creating a convenient and accessible environment for our customers, employees, and all 27 million Nigerians living with visible and invisible disabilities." This reflects the company's desire to integrate and uplift individuals with disabilities within the workforce and society at large.
Dr. Toyin Aderemi-Balogun, who serves as the Consultant for Disability Inclusion (Education) at Mastercard Foundation, delivered the keynote speech during the event. She underscored the pressing need for societal inclusion at every organizational level. According to her, currently, about 1.3 billion people live with disabilities globally, which equates to roughly 16% of the world’s population. Unfortunately, individuals with disabilities often face higher unemployment rates due to various barriers such as attitudinal and institutional challenges. Her remarks illuminated the struggles many face and the importance of leadership representation among individuals with disabilities.
Meanwhile, the International Mugham Center collaborated with the Inclusive Organization Company to host a concert titled "The Secret of Inclusiveness" to commemorate the IDPD. This event featured renowned mugham performer Alim Gasimov along with several musicians with disabilities. Director of the Mugham Center, Sahib Pashazade, received recognition for his efforts during the event. This cultural celebration aimed to promote awareness of the importance of inclusivity within the arts, highlighting how cultural events can serve as powerful platforms for embracing diversity.
The United Nations, which has been promoting IDPD since 1992, also played its role by calling for global participation and engagement. This year's observance occurred alongside pivotal global discussions such as the Summit of the Future and the upcoming Second World Summit for Social Development. These summits focus on fostering a disability-inclusive society and reiterate the importance of leveraging leadership from persons with disabilities for sustainable development.
Bangladesh marked this year's IDPD through a day-long event at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC). Organized by the Ministry of Social Welfare alongside groups like Sightsavers and the UNDP, the celebration gathered key stakeholders to discuss the current progress and challenges faced by individuals with disabilities within the country. Principal Coordinator-SDGs Affairs, Lamiya Morshed, was the Chief Guest and stressed how integral it is to include persons with disabilities throughout the nation's development processes. She remarked, "Including people with disabilities in the VNR process is not only about equity but also about ensuring the credibility and comprehensiveness of our national report."
During the event, keynote speakers called for the establishment of a disability-inclusive social protection framework by 2025, as Bangladesh prepares to present its Voluntary National Review on the Sustainable Development Goals. Other notable figures who participated included Gwyn Lewis, the UN Resident Coordinator for Bangladesh, and various representatives from organizations of persons with disabilities who shared insights and personal experiences.
Italy's Inter Milan Football Club also made its mark during the IDPD observance by organizing various activities aimed at inclusion. On December 6th, they engaged with players from the Gialloblù Special Team prior to their match against Parma, showcasing the club's commitment to utilizing sports as a tool for integration. Inter’s Vice President, Javier Zanetti, remarked on the significance of organizing such events, stating it was part of their broader commitment to raise awareness within the community. These interactions brought emotional moments, particularly when players from the special teams walked onto the pitch with the captains of Inter and Parma, reflecting the empowering nature of inclusive sports.
Across the Atlantic, the Cumberland Football Association acknowledged key achievements within the disability football community as part of their IDPD celebrations. The Komatsu Junior Ability Counts League, which involved over 100 young players, held its first full seasonal program, marking notable progress for disability sports within the region. Managing Director of Komatsu Forest Ltd. expressed excitement and pride for sponsoring the league, signifying community engagement and corporate support for disability inclusion. Other initiatives included new league formats such as the Day Service League, gathering diverse groups to encourage play for health and social well-being.
Events like these, hosted by corporations, local governments, and community organizations, reflect increasing recognition of the need for inclusivity and the leadership of persons with disabilities across various spheres. The thoughtful discussions, cultural celebrations, and sporting events serve as reminders of the progress made, as well as the work still needed to create equitable opportunities everywhere.
Highlighting individual stories, Chiamaka Ohalete, a team member at MTN and advocate for disability rights, shared her uplifting experience joining MTN Nigeria, where she received tremendous support and acceptance from her colleagues. Her narrative echoes the theme of becoming leaders and changemakers by challenging stereotypes and promoting acceptance within society. Organizations like Mastercard Foundation and Sightsavers continue to shine the spotlight on these inspiring stories, empowering leaders with disabilities to bring about meaningful change.
Overall, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities serves as not only an annual reminder of the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities but also as a powerful platform to amplify their voices, celebrate achievements, and galvanize collective action toward inclusivity. The endeavors across different regions are indicative of shared aspirations for positive societal change, ensuring the rights and needs of persons with disabilities are recognized and supported.
“This year, the emphasis has been on amplifying leadership from within the disability community, fostering environments where all individuals can contribute and thrive. Every initiative, discussion, and concert shared its unique contribution to the movement toward inclusivity,” summates Dr. Aderemi-Balogun, underscoring the shared vision for brighter, more inclusive futures.