“I deserve to be appreciated” – the persons with disabilities have promoted their abilities

The event was organized by the Ministry of Labor, Social Protection and Family in partnership with the UN Office for Human Rights and the United Nations Development Programme, with the occasion of the International Day of the Persons with Disabilities, which is annually marked on December 3rd.

“The Day of the Persons with Disabilities it is not a day to celebrate. It is a day during which all of us – the Government, the society – should draw the conclusions related to promotion of the rights of the persons with disabilities, establish the drawbacks, and double the efforts for solving them. The reform of the system for determining the disability, deinstitutionalization, community services for the persons with disabilities, accessibility, inclusive education for everyone – these are Moldova’s priorities for the following years”, stated Veaceslav Balan, National Coordinator, UN Office for Human Rights.

The Deputy Minister of Labor, Social Protection and Family, Anastasia Oceretnîi, mentioned that: “The Ministry of Labor, Social Protection and Family undertakes considerable efforts to promote the rights of the persons with disabilities and their social inclusion, and will further on advocate for harnessing the potential of the persons with disabilities”.

Gheorghe Brega, the Deputy Prime Minister for social matters has appreciated the creativity of the participants in the exhibition and reiterated the importance of involving the persons with disabilities in promotion of their rights. “As the Chair of the National Council for the Rights of the Persons with Disabilities, I fully support the persons with disabilities and I consider it appropriately to get them more actively involved in the activity of the Council”, he has underlined.

“We are here to support the skills of the persons with disabilities, but at the same time to defend their rights, and for this purpose, the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova has committed itself to promote the legislation of the country in the interest of the persons with disabilities”, stated Liliana Palihovici, Deputy President of the Parliament.

The aim of the event “I deserve to be appreciated” is to promote the positive image of the persons with disabilities and to raise the awareness of the society regarding their potential and the need for their social, educational, and professional integration.

About 30 residential institutions have exhibited to sale the most original handmade crafts: handicrafts, crochets, embroideries, wooden works, and confectionery. At the same time, the persons with disabilities have taught the visitors how to make hand-made things.

The participants attending the exhibition were absolutely delighted with the opportunity to exhibit and sell their works and to teach at the same time other people how to make them. They have been awarded diplomas of honors and prizes for their talent and ambition, but also for their pieces of art.

The exhibition with selling of handmade works prepared by persons with disabilities is at its 6th edition.