ON INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES,ACTIONAID PALESTINE SUPPORTS PALESTINIAN YOUTH FOR SERVING PwDs
and they titled their initiative “ energy but not disability”
Supporting Youth Initiatives Serving PwDS
ActionAid Palestine(AAP) empowered youth and their initiatives seeking in general to develop their communities and serve marginalized groups in particular as Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) to advocate for their rights.A youth group supported by AAP inaugurated inclusion of public games in one of children centers in governorate of Hebron on the international day of PwDs which falls on 3rd of December each year. This year’s international day theme is “Promoting the participation of persons with disabilities and their leadership: taking action on the 2030 Development Agenda.
AAP’s program of “ Civil and Democratic participation of Palestinian youth” (CIV) supported the initiative of youth group titled “ energy but not disability” for 16 months . This initiative was led by a number of motivated young people who are willing to create changes in their community and serve PwDs.
AAP promotes youth participation in civil and democratic by supporting their initiatives, building their capacities and enhancing their skills of networking with grassroot and civil organizations . The outcome of the work of this youth groups is inclusion of people with physical disability in some public games and facilities in Hebron Children happiness center which is one of the biggest children centers in the south of West Bank. This outcome also represents the ability of youth to create change and advocate for the rights of marginalized including PwDs.
CIV supported developing their skills and knowledge of the members of this youth group by financing a number of practical and theoretical workshops concerning the inclusion of PwDs and namely children with physical disability in public services and facilities. They were also trained on how to harmonize public facilities and games with the needs of children with physical disability so that they can enjoy their right to play. Those workshops were organized in partnership and coordination with Al-Raja’ center for deaf and Palestinian Red Crescent Association.
The coordinator of this youth group, Hedya Al-Natshah said: “ it is an important initiative serving marginalized group and AAP played an effective role in financing those workshops and activities of this initiative and supporting youth utilizing their capacities in serving community and marginalized groups”.
One of the participants of this youth initiative , Jihad I’baidoo said: “ we express our appreciation to the support provided by AAP for youth. Working in this initiative has deepened our belief in a great commitment that we have to fulfill towards this group as well as a great motivation for inclusion of PwDs in public services and buildings”.
Background Information
ActionAid
ActionAid is ActionAid is a global federation working for a world free from poverty and injustice. It is a leading international charity working in over 45 countries. We work with the poorest women and children in the world, changing their lives for good. Our local staff provide immediate, hands-on support to women and children living on the margins of survival. Together we demand action at local, national and international level. We don’t walk away until we’ve achieved lasting change.
ActionAid in Palestine (AAP) started as a program of ActionAid Australia (formerly Austcare) in 2007 and was approved as an ActionAid Country Program, managed by the International Secretariat in 2012. AAP works to strengthen the resilience of Palestinian communities, building the active agency of women and young people to understand their rights and undertake collective activism to address the protracted rights violations resulting from the prolonged occupation of Palestine. In its engagement with communities, AAP works simultaneously with women and youth groups to enhance their leadership capacity and knowledge to practice their citizenship in holding authorities and other duty bearers to account.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Riham Jafari
Coordinator of Advocacy&Communication
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