DUSHANBE, 12.05.2023 (NIAT Khovar) – On May 10, Dushanbe hosted a conference on “Improving employment opportunities for people with disabilities and creating an accessible environment”.

The conference was initiated by the Public Organization “National Association of the Disabled of Tajikistan” and was held under the leadership of the Deputy Speaker of the Assembly of Representatives Dilrabo Mansuri.

The event was attended by Deputy Minister of Health and Social Protection of the Population Shodikhon Jamshed, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Tajikistan Parvati Ramaswami, Deputy of the Parliament of Kazakhstan Lyazzat Kaltaeva, Chairman of the Public Organization “National Association of the Disabled of Tajikistan” Asadullo Zikrikhudoev, as well as representatives of public and international organizations.

It was said that disability is an integral part of the human condition, and almost everyone experiences a temporary or permanent slowdown in activity at some point in their lives. Disability affects the most vulnerable groups of the population and is observed among various sections of society. The World Health Organization estimates that more than a billion people in the world, that is, more than 15 percent of the population, including more than 95 million children, suffers from some form of disability.

According to statistical analysis, more than 150,000 persons with disabilities are currently registered in Tajikistan, of which more than 26,000 are children. In Tajikistan, the attitude of people towards persons with disabilities has changed significantly over the past decade, and this process has gone from being recognized as benefactors, recipients of medical services and benefits to being accepted as full citizens.