Sustainable Develoment Goals and Children with Disabilities

As the world makes a transition from the millennium development goals (MDG) to Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). It is a pity that the world has closed eyes on the basic rights of children with disabilities.

Most children in rural parts of developing countries including Tanzania are hidden because of shame related to disability, protection from sexual abuse or for security reasons (just like children with albinism are killed and their body parts used for witchcraft purposes). Most of them lack basic access to health care, and a large majority are not allowed into the education system due to the existence of a mere disability that could have been treated like hydrocephalus. As the world sets pace in achieving the (SDG), There is a need for more community advocacy and awareness at a grass root level and implementation of legal provisions meant to protect lives of children with disabilities this will enable them to attain quality of life.

This is a snapshot of my message during the international conference on birth defects and disabilities #ICBD that happened in Dar Es Salaam Tanzania and the goal of the session was to propose strengthening approach that could lead to attaining quality of life for children who have disabilities.