A group of women with disabilities expressed this same intention at the celebration of the International Day of People with Disabilities on December 3 this year, in Bissau, under the theme "Inclusion Matters: Access and Training for all people ".

The observance aims at promoting a greater understanding of disability issues and mobilizing people to defend the dignity, rights and well-being of this group.

In Guinea-Bissau, according to a 2009 study by the National Institute of Studies and Research (INEP), 0.94 percent of the population suffers from some form of disability. Out of the 13,590 people with disabilities 53.9 percent are men and 46.1 percent women.

Valentina Mendes, Minister of Women, Family and Social Cohesion, regretted the situation of people with disabilities in Guinea-Bissau, but said that her Ministry intends to secure basic rights and social protection to all Guineans without exception.

"We intend to promote, through FAO, AMAE and Secretary of State of Planning; training in management targeting women, especially those with disabilities, in order to allow them to benefit from credits to develop income generating activities, "said Valentina Mendes.

The President of the Association for the Defense of Rights and Promotion of People with Disabilities in Guinea-Bissau, Filomena Sá, said in turn that she "would like to see improvements in the quality of life of disabled people, that they have more opportunities, better access to basic services". She stressed that "the physical and social barriers are huge, to the point of preventing integration and inclusion of people with disabilities in society." "I would like to see those barriers eliminated to enable these people to have access to education, health and employment." He added.

Guinea-Bissau ratified the International Convention on the Rights of Persons with disabilities on 24 September 2014.

A group of women with disabilities expressed this same intention at the celebration of the International Day of People with Disabilities on December 3 this year, in Bissau, under the theme "Inclusion Matters: Access and Training for all people ".

The observance aims at promoting a greater understanding of disability issues and mobilizing people to defend the dignity, rights and well-being of this group.

In Guinea-Bissau, according to a 2009 study by the National Institute of Studies and Research (INEP), 0.94 percent of the population suffers from some form of disability. Out of the 13,590 people with disabilities 53.9 percent are men and 46.1 percent women.

Valentina Mendes, Minister of Women, Family and Social Cohesion, regretted the situation of people with disabilities in Guinea-Bissau, but said that her Ministry intends to secure basic rights and social protection to all Guineans without exception.

"We intend to promote, through FAO, AMAE and Secretary of State of Planning; training in management targeting women, especially those with disabilities, in order to allow them to benefit from credits to develop income generating activities, "said Valentina Mendes.

The President of the Association for the Defense of Rights and Promotion of People with Disabilities in Guinea-Bissau, Filomena Sá, said in turn that she "would like to see improvements in the quality of life of disabled people, that they have more opportunities, better access to basic services". She stressed that "the physical and social barriers are huge, to the point of preventing integration and inclusion of people with disabilities in society." "I would like to see those barriers eliminated to enable these people to have access to education, health and employment." He added.

Guinea-Bissau ratified the International Convention on the Rights of Persons with disabilities on 24 September 2014.