MoU signed to empower PwDs

With an objective to support Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) by enabling them to live their lives with dignity and to raise awareness on acceptance of disabilities in the community, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Nagaland State Rural Livelihoods Mission (NSRLM) and office of the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs), here, on Monday.
Speaking at the programme, state commissioner, Persons with Disabilities, Diethono Nakhro pointed out that in Nagaland, a total of 29,631 people had disabilities.
She, however informed that this was “a very conservative figure” and in reality, she said there were thousands more living with different kinds of disabilities in the state.
Pointing out that PwDs were more likely to live in poverty than persons without disabilities, Nakhro said this was due to barriers such as stigma and discrimination, inaccessible environments, limited access to education and employment and lack of inclusion in livelihood and other social programs.
She added that women with disabilities also faced more difficulties with existing gender biases, placing more disabled women and girls at higher risk of gender-based violence, sexual abuse, neglect and exploitation.
The collaborative project was much needed given the situation that still exists in our state, Nakhro stated.
She further claimed it was not only the government but also the society as a whole that “has failed the disabled community.”
Meanwhile, joint secretary & mission director, NSRLM, Imtimenla highlighted that under the DAY-NRLM, Self Help Group meetings were held based on rotation and were a step in taking these people forward and helping them socialise with peers.
In support to intervention with the elderly, she also informed that an MoU was being signed with Helpage India which consisted of 765 elderly SHGs and 59 exclusive SHGs for PwDs under the mission.
In this regard, Imtimenla said Village level Organisation (VLO) would also be involved in intensive facilitation for identification, mobilisation, financial inclusion and capacity building.
The programme was chaired by programme manager, SISD, NSRLM, Kenovile Richa, invocation was offered by CBCK youth coordinator, Deo Huprem while Sondahol Richa shared his experience and acknowledged the officials for their initiative and support.
Later, concluding remark was given by SPM-SISD, NSRLM, Khriezovonuo Lhoungu.
It may be mentioned that the MoU would be inked for a period of 12 months initially and piloted in four model blocks—Jakhama, Chümoukedima, Longleng and Wokha blocks under Kohima, Dimapur and Longleng and Wokha district. These pilots were selected for target interventions and framework implementation would be developed after the signing of the MoU.