Lebanon launches national strategy to advance inclusion of persons with disabilities
The Ministry of Social Affairs, in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), has launched the National Strategy on the Rights and Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in Lebanon 2026–2030, marking a national step towards advancing rights and strengthening inclusion and equal participation.
The launch took place during an official ceremony held Tuesday at the Grand Serail in Beirut, under the patronage and in the presence of Prime Minister Nawaf Salam.
The Strategy translates Lebanon’s commitment to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities into a five-year action plan encompassing concrete reforms, policies, programs and projects. It lays the foundations for a fundamental shift from a welfare-based approach to disability towards one grounded in rights, citizenship, equality and active participation, placing the rights of persons with disabilities at the heart of public policies, development and social justice.
To demonstrate the barriers that limit the access of persons with disabilities to public spaces, the launch ceremony featured an interactive virtual reality experience illustrating how the design of public spaces can restrict access and participation, highlighting the need to adopt accessibility and universal design principles to ensure that everyone can access and use these spaces on an equal basis.
The ceremony also featured an interactive dialogue bringing together persons with disabilities, their representative organizations and eleven participating ministers. Discussions focused on the barriers, priorities and practical measures required to implement the Strategy across different sectors. The program concluded with ministers announcing practical commitments, which they recorded on a shared commitment wall under the slogan “Together for an Inclusive Lebanon.”
Opening Remarks
The opening session featured remarks by Prime Minister Salam; Lebanon’s Minister of Social Affairs, Haneen Sayed; United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of ESCWA, Rania Al-Mashat; and UNFPA Representative in Lebanon, Anandita Philipose.
Prime Minister Salam stressed that closing the gap between rights enshrined in law and rights enjoyed in practice is an essential part of the reform agenda to which the Lebanese Government has committed. He added that reform is not limited to public finances, the banking sector and public administration, but also means building fairer and more effective institutions capable of serving all citizens without exception. Addressing persons with disabilities, he said: “You are not guests in this Strategy. You are partners in shaping it, and you must remain partners in its implementation, monitoring and accountability.”
Minister Sayed emphasized that the Strategy is not merely another document issued by the Ministry of Social Affairs, but a national strategy and a responsibility shared by the State and all its institutions and ministries. She added: “It sets out a clear path for the next five years. Its success will be measured by whether the State can tell every citizen that they can learn, work and participate. Only then will we have truly moved from the slogan ‘We are all for the nation’ to the reality of ‘A nation for all.’”
Al-Mashat noted that the launch of the Strategy does not mark the end of the journey, but rather the beginning of a new phase focused on implementation and translating rights and principles into tangible realities in the lives of persons with disabilities. She reaffirmed ESCWA’s commitment to continuing to support Lebanon throughout this journey and to working with the Government, persons with disabilities, their organizations and all partners to ensure that the Strategy’s priorities are translated into practical steps that advance full participation and inclusion.
For her part, Philipose reaffirmed the commitment to building an inclusive Lebanon across all sectors as UNFPA provides comprehensive support to the Lebanese Government to help advance this national vision. To translate this vital commitment into concrete public policies, legislation and budgets, UNFPA will continue to support government efforts through the roadmap established by the Strategy. " Joint efforts aim to build a society founded on justice and rights, where every individual is guaranteed a life of independence, dignity and full participation".
The Strategy
The Strategy is built around ten national pillars: legislation; disability assessment, identification and diagnosis; education and learning; healthcare; social and legal protection; economic empowerment and employment; universal accessibility; social and behavioral change for inclusion; participation in political and public life; and participation in cultural, tourism and sporting activities.
The Strategy also sets out a roadmap for establishing an inclusive emergency response system that ensures persons with disabilities receive protection and assistance with dignity and on an equal basis throughout all stages of emergency management. This includes preparedness, response and recovery, as well as access to life-saving services, safe evacuation, shelter and healthcare.
In terms of governance and implementation, the Strategy calls for the development of a national coordination framework that defines roles and responsibilities and strengthens collaboration among relevant stakeholders. It also provides for the establishment of a clear mechanism for monitoring, follow-up, accountability and measuring implementation progress.
Furthermore, the active participation of persons with disabilities and their representative organizations is established as a cornerstone throughout all stages of the process, from planning and implementation to monitoring and decision-making.
Source: Naharnet
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