Pretoria:Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Sindisiwe Chikunga has emphasized the need for stronger partnerships between government, business, and civil society to promote the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities. Her call to action comes as South Africa marks Disability Rights Awareness Month (DRAM) from 3 November to 3 December 2026 under the theme "Creating Strategic Multisectoral Partnerships for a Disability Inclusive Society."
According to South African Government News Agency, the month offers an opportunity to evaluate the progress in advancing disability rights, addressing ongoing inequalities, and enhancing efforts to ensure that people with disabilities enjoy constitutional rights, dignity, and equal opportunities. Chikunga highlighted the importance of transitioning from fragmented interventions to coordinated partnerships that transform policy commitments into real improvements in the lives of persons with disabilities.
Chikunga urged government departments, municipalities, and public institutions to incorporate disability considerations into planning, budgeting, procurement, infrastructure development, and service delivery. She also pointed out that the private sector can contribute to economic inclusion by fostering inclusive employment, skills development, entrepreneurship, accessible workplaces, and meaningful economic opportunities.
The Minister also mentioned the role of civil society, organizations of persons with disabilities, traditional and community leaders, and higher education institutions in advocacy, research, innovation, public education, and monitoring. South Africa's disability rights agenda is guided by the Constitution, the White Paper on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), which commit the country to promoting, protecting, and fulfilling the rights of persons with disabilities while removing barriers that limit their full participation in society.
During DRAM, the focus will be on inclusive education and skills, economic empowerment and employment, accessibility and universal design, healthcare and social protection, safety and justice, participation and representation, and gender-responsive inclusion. Chikunga also addressed the increased risks faced by women and girls with disabilities, highlighting the need to incorporate their voices and experiences into policies and programs to protect and empower them.
The observance of DRAM will culminate on 3 December with the commemoration of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Chikunga called on South Africans to move beyond awareness towards practical action that upholds the rights, dignity, and contributions of persons with disabilities, emphasizing that disability inclusion is a constitutional obligation, a human rights imperative, and a shared development responsibility.