The Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS), through the National Rehabilitation and Disability Division, has acknowledged the Ministry of Women, Youth, Children, and Family Affairs (MWYCFA) as one of the ministries that has embraced disability inclusion in its policies. Notably, the support provided by MWYCFA, particularly through the Children’s Development Division and the Women’s Development Division, as members of the Disability Policy Working Group, was instrumental in advancing the policy to its completion and eventual endorsement.
This recognition was highlighted by the Disability Program Coordinator, Mr. Elwin Taloimatakwa, during the Solomon Islands National Disability Inclusive Development Policy 2023–2031 and United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) awareness session held at MWYCFA on Friday, 15 November 2024. The session was part of a series of public sector disability inclusion awareness activities that the Division initiated in late August.
During the session, the Director of the Children’s Development Division, Mrs. Loretta Ta’ake, emphasized the broad scope of implementing the Solomon Islands National Disability Inclusive Development Policy and the UNCRPD. She reinforced the importance of collaboration across key sectors—including the public sector, private sector, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Faith-Based Organizations (FBOs), and the media—in ensuring the progressive realization of disability inclusion.
The National Youth Coordinator from the Youth Development Division, Mr. Methodius Iapara, also expressed his support for the session. He shared that the Solomon Islands National Youth Policy 2017–2030 has mainstreamed disability inclusion. Mr. Iapara stressed that advocating for disability inclusion, along with children’s, youth’s, women’s, and families’ agendas, is a shared responsibility. He shared insights from a recent meeting where he advocated for accessibility to be a key consideration in town and city planning and development.
Participants at the session further discussed the significance of disability inclusion in areas such as social protection, emergency response, and intersectoral collaboration. They emphasized the need for a comprehensive framework to address issues of disability coordination and structure, as well as for effective cross-sectoral efforts to ensure inclusion.
On behalf of MHMS, Mr. Elwin Taloimatakwa expressed gratitude to the Permanent Secretary of MWYCFA, Dr. Cedrick Alepandava, for organizing the session. He also commended the officers who attended and participated in the event. Additionally, he acknowledged the support provided by the World Health Organization (WHO) Country Office in rolling out disability inclusion awareness initiatives.
End///
MHMS
