By Yiep Joseph
Persons with disabilities (PWDs) are calling on the government to instruct human resources managers to reevaluate their policies, which they argue currently disadvantage them and deny them job opportunities.
In an interview with this outlet, Abacha Ahmed Ibrahim, Executive Director of Action for Community Education and Development (ACEDO), emphasized the need for government intervention to promote the inclusion of PWDs in the workforce.
He urged human resource managers nationwide to amend their policies to better support the employment of individuals with disabilities.
Ibrahim pointed out that many existing human resource policies continue to create barriers for PWDs, leaving a significant number unemployed despite their qualifications.
He expressed that fair treatment in employment opportunities is essential for ensuring that people with disabilities can contribute meaningfully to society.
According to Ibrahim, such should be made across all sectors—including UN agencies, international organizations, and private enterprises—to thoroughly review and enhance their HR policies.
Abucha added that the call is meant to promote the rights, protection, and empowerment of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in South Sudan.
He expressed that when there is a chance for employment, the human resources usually focus on females, neglecting the need to support people with disabilities.
“If the human resources can at least review its human resources policies by including certain percentages for persons with disabilities like what they have in other organizations where they say 50% female and 50% male, we need such consideration,” Abucha said.
Abucha appealed to the government to allocate a percentage to the persons with disabilities so that to encourage them in the employment sector.
“For the beginning, I can say the human resources policies should indicate 5% employment for people with disabilities. This can help to ensure that people with disabilities get jobs and work like the rest who are working,” he said.
He stated that as the country continues to face the economic crisis, people with disabilities continue to suffer since most of them are not working and need means of survival.
“Persons with disabilities in South Sudan have serious challenges. Even with the economic hardship now, persons with disabilities suffered double as compared to people without disabilities,” he said.
“We do not want this situation where persons with disabilities are now treated as Beggers. No, what we need now is empowerment that gives us skills, and we seek jobs like others and work,” he added.
He called on the government and relevant institutions to focus on directing employers to consider the employment of persons with disabilities, adding that some of them are qualified and can do the job.
“ACEDO is urging the South Sudan government, specifically the Ministry of Labour, Education, Justice, and Gender Child and Social Welfare, to issue a joint statement directing human resource managers across all sectors, including UN agencies, international organizations, and private enterprises, to review and enhance their human resource policies,” he said.
He urged the government to promote inclusive work environments, implement quotas, and initiate training and support for persons with disabilities.
Last year, South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir endorsed the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
This move elevated South Sudan to become the 185th country to ratify the U.N. convention.
The U.N. Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities serves as a global protocol dedicated to advancing, safeguarding, and guaranteeing equal enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms for all individuals with disabilities.