ISLAMABAD
An event titled “Creating and Celebrating Opportunities for Young Persons with Disabilities,”
was held at Ramada Hotel Islamabad and brought together representatives of the development sector, disability rights organisations, government institutions, employers and other stakeholders to recognise the potential and achievements of young people with disabilities.
The event highlighted the achievements of young persons with disabilities in securing employment and pursuing entrepreneurship through a special screening of success stories under its Ready for Inclusive Sustainable Employment and Entrepreneurship (RISE/E) project.
The screening featured inspiring accounts of individuals who have pursued professional careers and economic independence through access to skills development, institutional support and employment opportunities.
A panel discussion, titled “From Skills to Decent Work: Building an Inclusive Employment Ecosystem,” was also held to examine the challenges faced by persons with disabilities in accessing jobs and establishing businesses. Participants discussed the role of employers, training institutions, policymakers and development organisations in removing barriers and promoting inclusive workplaces.
Speaking on the occasion, Syeda Munazza Gillani, Director for Pakistan and the Middle East at Sightsavers, said providing equal employment opportunities to persons with disabilities required more than skills training.
She stressed the need for an enabling environment where employers recognised talent, workplaces were accessible and young people received adequate support to achieve their professional ambitions.
Through the RISE/E project, Sightsavers was working to make inclusive employment and entrepreneurship a reality, she said, adding that real-life success stories could help change perceptions, challenge stereotypes and encourage greater inclusion.
Other speakers emphasised the need to change societal attitudes towards disability and recognise the abilities and contributions of persons with disabilities. They said skills development must be linked with practical employment and entrepreneurship opportunities to ensure meaningful economic participation.
The programme also featured an open-mic session, providing participants an opportunity to share their views on the stories screened and suggest practical measures for developing a more inclusive employment ecosystem.
The event concluded with key takeaways, a call to action and a pledge-signing activity, encouraging stakeholders to translate their commitments into concrete measures.
The RISE/E initiative aims at improving access to sustainable employment and entrepreneurship for young persons with disabilities by strengthening their skills and employment readiness while encouraging employers and other stakeholders to remove barriers and create equal opportunities.
