On November 28, the national directorate for vulnerable people located at the Solidarity City in Taouyah (commune of Ratoma), served as a framework for the launch of a national civic education campaign for people with disabilities. “Let’s commit to peace and democracy” is the campaign slogan.
This initiative of the organization Supporting People with Disabilities in Guinea, OSH-Guinea, is part of the program to support the transition and electoral processes (STEP). It extends over one year and will take place in the five communes of Conakry. The project is funded by the United States Agency for International Advancement, USAID, and implemented by the National Democratic Institute, NDI, and the International Foundation for Electoral Systems, IFES, for an inclusive, successful and peaceful transition.
in the same vein, the NDI initiated a workshop from March 19 to 21 in Kindia to design educational tools for civic and electoral education, to help 37 civil society organizations undertake inclusive civic education actions. Many institutional and state partners were also involved. following this design workshop and with a view to the official launch of civic and electoral education campaigns in the 33 prefectures as well as in the special zone of Conakry, the NDI organized training for trainers in Coyah on the use of the electoral civic education manual, followed by the training of 15 civic educators from thematic civil society organizations of young people, women and marginalized people in each of the country’s prefectures.
Awareness and inclusion
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According to OSH Guinea’s program manager, Abdoul Gadirou Barry, the project aims to raise awareness among people with disabilities about the electoral process and citizenship. “This aims to make our targets understand, particularly people with disabilities and those marginalized, to make them aware of their rights and their participation in a peaceful and successful transition. Then take their aspirations into account.OSH-Guinea is always committed to talking about inclusion, today the transition cannot leave anyone behind. This activity therefore focuses on the inclusion of people living with disabilities in the electoral process in the Republic of Guinea.
Mamadou saliou Barry, president of the Cité Solidarity Monitoring and Support committee, welcomes the initiative. “This campaign is more than beneficial. We are delighted and thank its organizers. As vulnerable people that we are, there are a lot of things if we don’t explain them to us, we can’t understand quickly. But through this awareness campaign, we understood many things that we did not know, such in this very way as, if we are not registered, we will not be able to vote. Then, people with or without disabilities have the same rights and duties before the law. So, its not because you are blind, or you have only one arm, or only one foot, that you are useless, if your memory is good, you are capable of doing everything that an able-bodied person is supposed to do . But you will only be able to enjoy your rights when you are informed. So, we all have the right to education and everything that comes with it,” declared Mr. Barry, before urging his colleagues not to allow themselves to be marginalized.
Not a coincidence
According to STEP project manager, Aboubacar Touré, the choice of this layer is not a coincidence. “The choice of this layer is nothing other than that it is the most vulnerable and marginalized in our society. Therefore, they are in the best position to know their rights and duties. And once they know about it,I believe they will do what is necessary to make it understood to their peers. And if we show them that we able-bodied people are not superior to them, they will also be at ease with us.”
Created in 2017 on the initiative of people with disabilities, OSH-Guinea is a non-profit, apolitical, non-governmental organization founded on principles of rejection of all forms of discrimination based on race, ethnicity, religion, political and confessional opinion. It intervenes in favor of people with disabilities, by improving the living conditions of people with disabilities, making them autonomous and autonomous and ensuring their full participation in Guinea’s development process.
Kadiatou Diallo
What are the key challenges faced by people with disabilities in guinea concerning electoral participation?
Interview: the Importance of Civic Education for People with Disabilities in Guinea
Editor, Time.news (ET): Welcome to our special interview today. We’re joining forces with Abdoul Gadirou Barry, the program manager at Supporting People with Disabilities in Guinea (OSH-Guinea). Abdoul, thank you for taking the time to speak with us about this significant initiative.
Abdoul gadirou Barry (AGB): Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to discuss this critically important campaign.
ET: Your organization recently launched a national civic education campaign aimed at people with disabilities in Guinea. can you tell us about the motivation behind this campaign?
AGB: Absolutely. The campaign, titled “Let’s commit to peace and democracy,” aims to raise awareness among people with disabilities regarding their electoral rights and citizenship. We recognized that many individuals, especially those with disabilities, have historically been marginalized in electoral processes. Therefore, it’s essential to ensure that their voices are heard and their rights are respected during this crucial transition in Guinea.
ET: This project is part of a broader program supporting the transition and electoral processes in Guinea. How does it integrate with other initiatives happening in the community?
AGB: This campaign is a vital component of the program funded by USAID and implemented by partners like the National democratic Institute (NDI) and the International Foundation for electoral Systems (IFES). our focus is on inclusive and peaceful processes that leave no one behind. Not only are we conducting civic education,but we also organized workshops to design educational tools for various civil society organizations. This ensures that our outreach is extensive and effectively addresses the needs of different community groups.
ET: During the launch attended by the national directorate for vulnerable people, what reactions did you observe?
AGB: The atmosphere was filled with hope and determination. Many attendees expressed their eagerness to participate in the electoral process and highlighted the importance of feeling included. It’s inspiring to see individuals who have frequently enough felt invisible gain confidence and advocate for their rights.
ET: With your experience, what challenges do you foresee in implementing this campaign, especially in relation to the specific needs of people with disabilities?
AGB: One major challenge is addressing the diverse needs of individuals with different types of disabilities.Accessibility in terms of facts dissemination and event participation is crucial. We must ensure that materials are available in formats accessible to everyone, whether it be braille, sign language, or easy-to-understand language. Additionally, overcoming societal stigma regarding disabilities can be a barrier, and we will need continuous collaboration with community leaders to foster a more inclusive environment.
ET: you mentioned a focus on training civic educators. How critical do you think training is for the success of this initiative?
AGB: Training is absolutely foundational. We must equip civic educators with the knowledge and skills necessary to engage effectively with marginalized communities. This includes not only understanding the electoral process but also being culturally sensitive to the challenges faced by people with disabilities. Well-trained educators can inspire trust and encourage participation among those we seek to reach.
ET: As you embark on this year-long campaign,what are your hopes for the impact it will have on the ground?
AGB: I hope to see a significant increase in participation from people with disabilities in the electoral process. More importantly, I want to create a lasting change in how society views and interacts with individuals with disabilities. The ultimate goal is to foster a culture of inclusion where everyone feels empowered to express their voices and participate as active citizens.
ET: Thank you, Abdoul, for sharing your insights and the incredible work you and your team are doing. It’s inspiring to hear about your commitment to inclusion and civic education for all.
AGB: thank you for the opportunity to discuss this vital initiative. Together, we can make a difference and ensure that every voice counts in Guinea’s democratic journey.
