Faisalabad: December 6, 2010. (PCP) On 2nd December 2010, Association of Women for Awareness and Motivation (AWAM) in collaboration with Liaison for Enforcement of Human Rights (LEHR) organized a public forum on the theme “Women with Disabilities: Problems and Opportunities” to observe international day of persons with disabilities, which was joined by 185 Muslim and Christian participants. At this juncture, theater performance depicting the challenges faced by persons with disabilities was presented by a youth group, which was greatly applauded by the audience. Naseem Anthony (Executive Secretary-AWAM), Shazia George, Nazia Sardar, Moazam Bin Zahoor (DEO), Kousar Ali Gill (DO), Muhammad Sadiq (Officer CPLC), Majabeen (SSET), Touqeer Yasmin (Principal-UOE), Mumtaz Kousar, Hafiza Mehnaz and Um-e-Farwa were among the speakers of the forum, held at John Joseph Hall in Faisalabad. Naseem Anthony said, “There exists a gap between the policy and practice concerning persons with disabilities.” “Government must make serious and concerted efforts by addressing the concerns of people with disabilities not only in the promises but also in policies and implementation,” he added. Shazia George said, “It is pity that people with disabilities are rejected by most of the societies, therefore we must shift our focus towards challenges being faced by the handicapped community, which lives in seclusion from the mainstream society.” “The ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities by the government will help the disabled community work towards achieving Pakistan’s MDGs,” she added. Nazia Sardar said, “Persons with disabilities face numerous barriers in exploring their talent and potential due to misconduct of the people towards them, therefore this day invites everyone to come forward and reaffirm one’s commitment towards inclusion of people with disabilities in the national mainstream.” Moazam Bin Zahoor said, “Government is fully committed to provide health care facilities, education, employment and rehabilitation opportunities to persons with disabilities, and has taken several steps for their inclusion in the mainstream.” “People with mobility impairment will be provided wheelchairs within three days after application,” he proclaimed. Kousar Ali Gill assured that disability issues on priority basis would be addressed by the government and disability registration certificate would be issued within 12 days instead of few months’ process. Muhammad Sadiq said, “Local government is making utmost efforts for full and effective participation of persons with disabilities in all spheres of life, and for providing enabling environment to them.” Majabeen said, “Disabled persons deserve love and acceptance rather than isolation, they have the ability to make valuable contribution in the workforce; therefore their families instead of taking pity on them, should give them opportunities and confidence to prove their worth as productive citizens of the country.” Touqeer Yasmin said, “Persons with disabilities need encouragement and guidance to excel in life and to play their active and useful role in the society by getting higher education and better employment.” Mumtaz Kousar said, “People with disabilities are confined to home and kept recluse from the development process due to the widespread stereotypes and perception of being inferior and useless citizens towards them, which cause the sense of deprivation and interiority complex among them.” The speakers for the improvement in the situation of persons with disabilities demanded that: Government must ensure firm implementation on all policies and laws concerning persons with disabilities, and must take appropriate measures for the strict enforcement of the quota for people with disabilities in education and jobs; Government must ratify UN convention on the rights of persons with disabilities (CRPD) without any delay for addressing their problems and needs; An authentic and credible census must be held to know the exact population of persons with disabilities, and quota should be reserved for them in accordance with their share in the total population of Pakistan; Disability registration process must be issued within a week by making the registration process easy and short in order to mitigate the sufferings of people with disabilities, and every Tehsil Headquarter (THQ) Hospital along with District Headquarter (DHQ) Hospital should be authorized to issue disability registration certificate keeping in view the problems facing persons with disabilities in mobility; Pertinent steps must be taken for ensuring easy access of people with disabilities to public transportation, building and places based on universally accepted standards, and for the removal of barriers that prevent a person with disability from participating in an activity or receiving services on an equal basis with others.