Persons with disabilities: gaps and opportunities for inclusion in agriculture By Washington Opiyo Sati( ENAR) 28th May 2013 Agriculture…as we all know..… …..is the backbone of the national economy, contributing directly 24% of Gross Domestic Product… The questions… How included are persons with disability in agricultural practices in Kenya? Gaps Statistical gaps...rural to urban migration Lack of knowledge/ignorance Environmental barriers Access to land Social and cultural stigma Do people with disabilities have rights to participate in Agricultural activities ? The Constitution of Kenya Article 27 (2) Equality includes the full and equal enjoyment of all rights and fundamental freedoms Article 54 ; …..a persons with any disability is entitled….to same rights… …have opportunities to associate, be represented and participate in political, social, economic and other spheres of life; The persons with Disabilities Act 2003 The government shall take steps to the maximum of its available resources with a view to achieving the full realization of the rights of persons with disabilities set out in the Act The UN CRPD… …….recognizes the right of persons with disabilities to work, on an equal basis with others; this includes the rights to the opportunity to gain a living by work freely chosen…. National Disability Policy …Provides that PWDs should enjoy their economic, social, cultural, civil and political rights… Addressing gaps….. Induction workshop to identify research/advocacy questions Open Day-over 100 people attended Young Voices & Policy influence LCD Livelihood projects A Story line- Shujaaz/awareness creation Addressing gaps….. Addressing gaps…. Feedback from Shujaaz Story “If the disabled girl in Shujaaz Chapta 19 can plant sukuma in a sack, I swear that’s the perfect idea a human being can come up with.” Ismail Mohammed” Mylaw “The disabled like Sifa have many abilities. Actually, they may be more talented than the rest of us. Disability is not inability” Tiffany What are the opportunities for inclusion of PWD in agriculture? What are the opportunities for inclusion of PWD in agriculture? Disseminate the study finding to relevant stakeholders and networks Awareness building around the capability of people with disabilities to participate in agricultural activities Engage National Council for Persons with disabilities to support agriculture projects as a form of livelihood support for PWDs Opportunities…contd More research….there are research questions to address The need for inclusion of agriculture in disability and agriculture related policies Support DPOs to invest in agricultural projects A set up a model project- Disability and Agriculture for learning/ best practices In closing… ……Self pity is our worst enemy and if we yield to it, we can never do anything good in the world…. Helen Keller (1880 - 1968) For your Attention