By Our Reporter - New York
Tanzania has made substantial progress in advancing the rights of persons with disabilities, a senior government official said Wednesday at the United Nations headquarters in New York.
Speaking during the 18th session of the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (COSP18), Amon Mpanju, Deputy Permanent Secretary of Tanzania’s Ministry of Community Development, Gender, Women, and Special Groups, highlighted a range of measures the country has taken to strengthen disability inclusion.
“Tanzania, under the leadership of President Samia Suluhu Hassan, has made significant strides in implementing the Convention and remains committed to advancing comprehensive strategies for its effective execution,” Mpanju said.
Among the initiatives, he cited tax exemptions for assistive devices, preferential access to affordable loans for persons with disabilities, and a policy that reserves 30% of public procurement contracts for special groups, including persons with disabilities.
Mpanju also pointed to the recent launch of Tanzania’s National Assistive Technology Strategy 2024–2027, which seeks to ensure timely and affordable access to assistive technology across sectors.
“The Government of Tanzania will continue collaborating with partners to safeguard the rights of persons with disabilities as a core element of gender equality and social inclusion,” he said.
The annual COSP meeting gathers UN member states, agencies, and civil society organizations to assess global progress and share best practices in promoting equality for persons with disabilities.