Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Sindisiwe Chikunga has called for stronger partnerships across government, business, and civil society to advance the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities.
The call comes as South Africa observes Disability Rights Awareness Month (DRAM) from 3 November to 3 December 2026 under the theme: “Creating Strategic Multisectoral Partnerships for a Disability Inclusive Society”.
The month provides an opportunity to assess progress in advancing disability rights, address persistent inequalities and strengthen efforts to ensure that persons with disabilities enjoy constitutional rights, dignity, and equal opportunities.
Chikunga said the 2026 theme calls for a shift from fragmented interventions to coordinated partnerships that turn policy commitments into tangible improvements in the lives of persons with disabilities.
“Creating a disability-inclusive society requires more than government policies and programmes. It requires all sectors of society to take responsibility for removing barriers, challenging discrimination, and creating opportunities for persons with disabilities.
“We must move from isolated interventions to strategic partnerships that deliver sustainable and measurable change,” the Minister said.
The Minister called on government departments, municipalities, and public institutions to integrate disability considerations into planning, budgeting, procurement, infrastructure development, and service delivery.
She said the private sector can advance economic inclusion through inclusive employment, skills development, entrepreneurship, accessible workplaces, and meaningful economic opportunities.
Civil society, organisations of persons with disabilities, traditional and community leaders, and higher education institutions also have a role to play through 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).
These frameworks commit the country to promoting, protecting and fulfilling the rights of persons with disabilities, while removing structural, institutional, environmental and attitudinal barriers that limit their full participation in society.
During DRAM, the focus will be on:
• Inclusive education and skills: Quality inclusive education, assistive technology and lifelong learning.
• Economic empowerment and employment: Decent work, entrepreneurship, economic participation and sustainable livelihoods.
• Accessibility and universal design: Accessible buildings, transport, communications, information, and digital services.
• Healthcare and social protection: Disability-responsive healthcare, rehabilitation, assistive devices, and social protection.
• Safety and justice: Preventing violence, abuse, neglect, exploitation and discrimination.
• Participation and representation: Meaningful representation in decision-making and public institutions.
• Gender-responsive inclusion: Addressing intersecting discrimination against women and girls with disabilities.
Chikunga also stressed the heightened risks of gender-based violence, sexual exploitation, abuse, and exclusion faced by women and girls with disabilities.
"Women and girls with disabilities must never be invisible in our efforts to advance gender equality and eliminate gender-based violence and femicide. Their voices, experiences and leadership must inform the policies, programmes and interventions intended to protect and empower them," the Minister said.
The observance will culminate on 3 December, when South Africa joins the international community in commemorating the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
Chikunga urged South Africans to move beyond awareness towards practical action that upholds the rights, dignity, and contributions of persons with disabilities.
“Disability inclusion is not an act of charity. It is a constitutional obligation, a human rights imperative, and a shared development responsibility.
“We must ensure that persons with disabilities are not merely beneficiaries of development, but active participants, leaders and contributors to the growth and prosperity of our country," she said. – SAnews.gov.za
