AIFO LIBERIA AND PARTNERS END TWO DAYS CAPACITY BUILDING TRAINING FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
By- Aminata S. Kromah
aminatakromah116@gmail.com
Liberia: AIFO Liberia in collaboration with the Liberia Labour Congress (LLC) with support from the Italian government has ended a two day capacity building training for people with disabilities in five (5) of Liberia’s fifteen Counties.
AIFO is an Italian organization working since 1997 in Bomi, Nimba, Lofa, Bong and Margibi Counties which aim at promoting the rights of persons with disabilities in Society.
The two days training which was held under the theme ” Decent Work, Inclusion and Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities” conglomerated representatives from Technical and Vocational departments of Universities and colleges in target Counties, local government officials, Civil society organizations among others.
The training was intended to collect data on work opportunities for person with disabilities across the Country. Additionally, it also sought to improve the social well being for PWDs on work and inclusion in the private and public sectors.
According to AIFO Liberia head of secretariat, Rebecca Stubblefield, phase two of the capacity building training captured increased assess of Persons with disabilities in Technical and Vocational education in five Colleges and Universities among others.
” For the next two days we will collect the needed data and summit to AIFO in creating an enabling working environment for PWDs across our targeted Counties.” Madam Stubblefield intoned.
Also speaking, the Deputy Secretary General for Operations at the Liberia Labour Congress Madam Ophelia Carpenter rallied employers in both the private and public sectors to create a conducive working environment for PWDs and further ensure equal work for equal pay irrespective of status and condition.
She further pledged her institutionโs continued support in championing and creating the awareness on decent life for PWDs in the society.
“I want to call on all employers across Liberia to create a friendly and healthy environment for PWDs and ensure equal remunerations for all”.
Madam Carpenter Cautioned.
In separate remarks, participants of the event thanked AIFO Liberia and partners for what they termed as an impactful training while promised to put to practice the knowledge acquired at their respective communities and institutions.
They then recommended for the decentralization of AIFO Liberia activities across the remaining Counties so others PWDs and the public can have vast knowledge on the decent work act for person with disabilities.
Statistics have shown that more than 14 % of Liberia’s total population consists of persons with disabilities, while majority living in rural areas with lack of employment opportunities.
Many, especially in the urban settings have left with no alternative but to beg as the only means of survival, a situation which poses a serious threat to their well being.
