Afghan Conference Promotes Peer Support and Physical Accessibility

Report prepared by ICBL member Afghan Landmine Survivors' Organization (ALSO)
More information: info@afghanlandminesurvivors.org

There are many gaps and weaknesses in the victim assistance and disability programs of the Afghan government. One of the most shocking challenges facing persons with disabilities in Afghanistan is the lack of access to available services. For example, according to the Central Statistics Office of Afghanistan, 95% of public buildings in Kabul are not accessible to landmine survivors and persons with disabilities. The government has no concrete plan on accessibility.

Another weakness is the lack of psychosocial support (peer support) for landmine survivors and other persons with disabilities, while many of them are traumatized and isolated from social life.

Photo: ALSO

As part of its efforts to address these concerns, the Afghan Landmine Survivors' Organization (ALSO) in collaboration with other civil society organizations held a conference on 1 August 2010 in Kabul, under the theme "Promoting physical accessibility and peer support for landmine survivors and other persons with disabilities in Afghanistan." Over 100 persons participated, including survivors, representatives from victim assistance/disability organizations, government officials, representatives from embassies and donor organizations.

The main objectives of the conference were:

1. To integrate physical accessibility regulations into the construction master plan of the Ministry of Urban Development, as well as transportation policies of the Ministry of Transportation and Civil Aviation; and
2. To integrate peer support for persons with disabilities into services provided by the Ministry of Public Health and Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs, Martyrs and Disabled.

The conference produced two lists of concrete recommendations* to help and encourage the government of Afghanistan to promote physical rehabilitation and peer support. They summarize the main concerns of the more than 50 survivors, campaigners and disability practitioners from civil society organizations that participated in the drafting process.

Photo: ALSO

During the conference, the recommendations were presented to the Deputy Minister of Labour, Social Affairs, Martyrs and Disabled (MoLSAMD), the Deputy Minister of Public Health, the Senator representing persons with disabilities in the Upper Chamber of the Afghan Parliament, as well as representatives of the Ministry of Urban Development. The NGO Clear Path International, as one of ALSO's major donors, was also presented with the report.

The government representatives welcomed the initiative and warmly received the recommendations. The deputy ministers of MoLSAMD and MoPH promised to follow the recommendations by establishing two task forces by the first meeting of the Disability Stakeholders Coordination Group which will bring together disability stakeholders, in late August 2010. The MoLSAMD Deputy Minister also suggested organizing a workshop for all provincial mayors to raise awareness about physical accessibility and make sure all municipalities respect accessibility when mapping constructions and urban development. A number of organizations expressed their interest to contribute to the workshop.

The conference was closed by the screening of a short documentary about service accessibility, prepared by ALSO.

ALSO plans to follow up by using the concrete recommendations that came out of the conference as a basis for its upcoming advocacy activities.

* The recommendations were drafted in Dari but could be translated into English upon request at info@afghanlandminesurvivors.org