Latest news with #PersonswithDisabilities
New Indian Express
08-06-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
CM Gupta launches ‘Sugamya Delhi Abhiyan' to make city Divyang-friendly
NEW DELHI: Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Saturday held a meeting to improve accessibility in sports, education, and public services for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) in the national capital. The CM said that under the 'Sugamya Delhi Abhiyan', all government buildings and sports stadiums in the city will be made Divyang-friendly. She said the government is committed to ensuring that no one is excluded from society because of any disability. She explained that the campaign will not only raise awareness and promote inclusive spaces, but also carry out upgrades in public and institutional buildings to make them accessible. The goal is to transform Delhi into a scalable and replicable model of accessibility and inclusion. She added that the Accessible India Campaign aims to ensure accessibility in infrastructure, transport, and digital services for PwDs. To support this national vision at the city level, the Sugamya Delhi Abhiyan has been launched to turn Delhi into India's first 'Purple City' — a symbol of urban accessibility and inclusion. The campaign will follow the 'Sarkar, Samaj, Bazaar' model — involving government agencies, local communities including all 21 disability categories and senior citizens, and CSR partners to develop cost-effective and sustainable solutions. The chief minister said the initiative is being led by IDEA (Inclusive Divyangjan Entrepreneur Association), which works for employment, entrepreneurship, and accessibility for PwDs. The CM also discussed plans for organising a 'Purple Fest' to promote positive thinking and awareness about the abilities and rights of Persons with Disabilities. She directed officials to prepare a detailed plan for the event. She reiterated that all public buildings and stadiums will have ramps, lifts, Braille signage, wheelchair access, and audio-visual aids. Special schemes will also be launched to support PwDs in sports, education, and public services.
Indian Express
07-06-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
‘Reflection of inclusive governance': Delhi CM on Transgender Welfare and Empowerment Board
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Saturday announced the formation of Transgender Welfare and Empowerment Board, which will be responsible for addressing the grievances of the community, and will also draw up schemes and policies for the welfare of transgenders. Describing her government's decision as a 'powerful reflection of inclusive governance in Delhi', Gupta said, 'This is not merely a legal procedure, but a symbol of our unwavering commitment to ensure dignity, rights, and opportunities to the transgender community.' Sharing the details, the CM said, 'This is a practical and powerful step towards building an empowered viksit (developed) Delhi. Our government is committed to ensuring equal rights for all. ' With the latest government move, transgenders will be able to self-declare their gender identity and obtain identity documents from the District Magistrate. The CM said that the board will also ensure the timely issuance of identity certificates and ID cards. Besides, the BJP government is also planning new initiatives for the community, which will include the construction of third-gender toilets in government buildings, dedicated hospital wards, and gender-specific health services in government hospitals, officials said. The government also plans to conduct sensitisation and awareness campaigns in educational institutions and workplaces and set up temporary shelters, employment training, and social security schemes tailored for the community. 'We are committed to building a Delhi that stands as a model of equality, respect, and inclusion. This decision reaffirms the values of equality and justice enshrined in the Indian Constitution and marks a revolutionary step toward mainstreaming the transgender community,' the CM said. 'Purple City' Meanwhile, Gupta also met Dr Mallika Nadda, President of Special Olympics Bharat. Officials said that the objective of this meeting was to hold a detailed discussion on improving accessibility in sports, education, and public services for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) in the Capital. The CM said that under the 'Sugamya Delhi Abhiyan', all government buildings and sports stadiums in the city will be made disabled-friendly. She also said the government is planning to extend the campaign at the city level and transform Delhi into India's first 'Purple City', a model of urban accessibility and inclusion. The campaign is structured around the 'Sarkar, Samaj, Bazaar (government, society, marketplace)' framework. Infrastructure will be aligned with national accessibility standards in collaboration with government agencies; inclusion will be promoted at the grassroots level by engaging all 21 categories of disabilities, senior citizens, and the local community; and cost-effective, sustainable solutions will be developed in collaboration with vendors, innovators, and CSR partners, the CM said. Gupta also said that there also plans to organise 'Purple Fest' as part of the Sugamya Delhi Abhiyan. The CM has directed the officials concerned to draft a detailed plan for the event. 'Through this fest, the government aims to promote a positive outlook and greater sensitivity in society toward the capabilities, talents, and rights of persons with disabilities…,' the CM said.
Borneo Post
08-05-2025
- General
- Borneo Post
Welfare Dept distributes over RM51 mln in aid to 21,604 recipients as of April
Gira (third right) hands over a hamper to a recipient, witnessed by Mohamad Razi (centre). SIBU (May 8): The Sarawak Welfare Department has disbursed approximately RM51 million in assistance to 21,604 monthly aid recipients across the state as of April this year, said Datuk Mohamad Razi Sitam. The Deputy Minister for Women, Children and Community Wellbeing Development said the government remains committed to channelling appropriate assistance to targeted groups and eligible individuals. 'This assistance is not only aimed at easing the burden of recipients but also serves as moral support, encouraging them to continue striving for a better life,' he said during the Sejambak Kasih Hari Gawai 2025 event at the Selangau Multipurpose Hall today. Elaborating, he said there are currently eight aid schemes in Sarawak, namely Elderly Assistance, Children's Assistance, General Assistance, Allowance for Disabled Workers, Assistance for Non-Working Disabled Persons, Care Assistance for Bedridden Disabled Persons/Chronic Patients, Foster Child Assistance, and Youth and Young Women Assistance. 'We also have a 'top-up' system from the Sarawak government, which means the state does not rely entirely on federal government allocations but supplements the assistance provided,' he said. Mohamad Razi urged parents and community members to be aware of the available government aid schemes, especially for children born with disabilities or those categorised as Persons with Disabilities (PwD). 'Please go for check-ups at hospitals and obtain specialist confirmation to classify them as PwD. Then apply for the PwD card through the Welfare Department or the nearest welfare office. 'Do not hide the fact if you have family members who qualify as a PwD. Similarly, those who become disabled later in life, for example due to an accident and are unable to work, should also obtain a doctor's certification and apply for the PwD card to qualify for assistance.' On the Sejambak Kasih Hari Gawai 2025 programme, the deputy minister said the Welfare Department has been providing RM100 in cash contributions and RM80 worth of festive hampers to recipients for over 20 years. He explained that the contribution aims to ease the financial burden of recipients as they prepare for festive celebrations. 'We want to ensure disadvantaged groups can also experience the festive atmosphere, especially with the upcoming Gawai celebration. Most importantly, this programme strengthens the bond between implementing agencies such as the Welfare Department and the aid recipients,' he said. He also advised recipients to use the assistance wisely and take it as motivation to improve their quality of life. 'Let this assistance remind us of the importance of gratitude and mutual support. Life's challenges may be difficult, but every sincere effort we make will bear fruit.' Also present at the event was Tamin assemblyman Christopher Gira Sambang. razi sitam Sibu Welfare Department
Business Recorder
07-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Bank Alfalah launches app ‘Worklee'
KARACHI: Bank Alfalah has launched the country's first, human resources hiring and remote working app called Worklee. The application is designed to create diversified, inclusive and accessible employment opportunities for all segments of society. The initiative is particularly aimed at women who want to work remotely, Persons with Disabilities (PwDs), and freelancers, removing barriers to accessing professional opportunities in a conventional work environment and thus enriching mutual experiences of both the resource as well as the Bank. The Alfalah Worklee app provides a seamless and user-friendly platform where individuals can register, create a profile, apply for available job opportunities within Bank Alfalah as well as perform their jobs remotely where applicable. The initiative aligns with the State Bank of Pakistan's (SBP) 'Banking on Equality' framework, reinforcing Bank Alfalah's commitment to enabling inclusion and financial empowerment. Initially, the app will facilitate remote hiring and service delivering for contact center WhatsApp chat agent vacancies, with plans to expand into other roles in the future such as programmers/coders, based on business needs. Regarding this initiative, Faisal Farooq Khan, Chief Human Resources Officer, Human Capital Group of Bank Alfalah, said that Bank Alfalah value providing equal employment opportunities to individuals facing challenges in conventional workplaces. Alfalah Worklee is a step towards breaking barriers, offering people from all walks of life the flexibility to work remotely and become financially independent, he added. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Daily Maverick
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Maverick
KZN premier told to apologise for ‘tone-deaf' gender-based violence campaign
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli has been instructed to issue a public apology and rework the GBVF campaign after fierce criticism in a province deeply affected by gender-based violence. What was meant to be a campaign to tackle gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) has erupted into a social media storm, with the KwaZulu-Natal provincial government, led by Premier Thami Ntuli, coming under fire for harmful and tone-deaf messaging, according to gender activists. In a social media post, which has since been deleted, Ntuli's office had a post which featured an image of a tearful woman with visible bruises and the slogan: 'Asingababulali, Asibathande, Sibaphe imali', which translates to, 'Let us not kill them, let us love them, let us give them money.' Deputy Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities, Mmapaseka Steve Letsike, has urged the KZN government to retract and review its GBVF campaign, issue a public apology and rework it in consultation with relevant stakeholders. (Screengrab: eNCAnews) Activist Brenda Madumise-Pajibo slammed the campaign, describing the messaging as 'tone-deaf, atrocious, and insensitive', and said it reflected a disturbing lack of understanding about the root causes and realities of gender-based violence. Furthermore, it reinforced harmful gender stereotypes, she said. 'We have seen that we have used violence to demonstrate that we love people and money has been at the centre of wanting control over women and that's why you have financial abuse from men. Once you send a message like that, you are perpetuating a myth that only men can take care of women and that the only thing that can satisfy women is when they have money, even when that money comes with abuse,' she said. The campaign comes against the backdrop of KwaZulu-Natal ranking fourth in the country for reported gender-based violence cases. December 2025, in particular, saw a spike in horrific incidents involving women killed by their intimate partners. In one incident which sent shockwaves through the country, a man identified as Sibusiso Lawrence took to social media to share horrific video footage showing his bloodied girlfriend, stabbed to death. In a short confession, he alleged it was because she had cheated on him. Tragically, this was not an isolated incident. Several similar cases have emerged in the weeks since. The disturbing statistics come despite a 2020 declaration by President Cyril Ramaphosa of GBVF as a national pandemic. Following the declaration, the government adopted the GBVF National Strategic Plan. But practical and accountable implementation has slowed to a snail's pace. Lack of accountability Despite the lack of progress in tackling the pandemic, activist and chairperson of Hlanganisa Community Fund for Social and Gender Justice Lebogang Ramafoko said the KZN messaging was unacceptable and called for accountability. 'If I was a self-respecting government which is committed to women in this country, to ending GBV, this poster would not have existed and an apology would have been given to women, or at least the humility to sit down with activists to understand why this cannot happen,' she said. Ramafoko said it was almost as if the government was continuously scoring own goals where GBV was concerned. Meanwhile, Madumise-Pajibo suggested that the KZN provincial government worked in silos and was not looking at the work done through the national strategic plan on GBV. The plan offered a comprehensive framework for tackling gender-based violence, with specific guidance on messaging that acknowledged the structural and systemic drivers of the issue, she said. Both activists criticised the recent campaign for failing to align with the national strategic plan, particularly Pillar 1, which emphasised accountability, coordination and leadership, pointing to a clear lack of strategic engagement. The campaign also disregarded key principles from Pillar 2, which focused on prevention and shifting harmful social norms that perpetuated gender-based violence. Ntuli told to apologise Deputy Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities, Mmapaseka Steve Letsike, has since instructed the provincial government to retract, review the campaign and issue a formal apology to South Africans. In a letter directed to Ntuli, Letsike said the messaging was not only sexist, but dangerously reductive as it perpetuated harmful stereotypes about the worth of persons belonging to vulnerable groups being tied to material compensation and failed to address the systemic roots of gender-based violence. Reducing any person's safety and dignity to a transactional exchange undermined the very purpose of anti-GBVF initiatives. It communicated to perpetrators that abuse could be 'offset' by financial support, and to victims that their pain could be pacified with money. 'This is a gross misrepresentation of the lived realities of survivors and an egregious watering down of the work by countless government actors, activists, civil society organisations and community members who are fighting tirelessly to end GBVF through empowerment, justice and education. 'A government-led GBVF campaign should aim to challenge all iterations of patriarchy and promote gender equality, not reinforce the deeply embedded notions that women are commodities to be controlled, appeased or purchased,' Letsike said. In March 2025, Premier Ntuli announced that his government would launch an anti-gender-based violence (GBV) and femicide app designed to provide real-time emergency assistance and direct access to critical support services. According to the premier's spokesperson, Bongani Gina, the app would initially be rolled out to students at higher learning institutions across the province. It would integrate with campus security and other local security networks to ensure comprehensive coverage. The app would allow users to send distress signals, access immediate medical and legal support and alert security personnel in the event of an emergency, EWN reported.
