Building an inclusive society

The celebration of National Disability Week 2026, held under the theme "Building an Inclusive Namibia through Empowerment, Innovation, Accessibility and Equal Participation of Persons with Disabilities", concluded in Lüderitz on Thursday. 

Persons with disabilities from across Namibia gathered in the harbour town over three days to challenge stereotypes, share lived experiences and highlight their contributions to society.

While Namibia has made progress in improving the lives of persons with disabilities, significant challenges remain.

Speaking at the closing ceremony at the Lüderitz Waterfront Auditorium, Vice President Lucia Witbooi said that the government was taking steps to address resource shortages affecting persons with disabilities.

"We are aware of the resource gaps facing the disability community and are taking deliberate steps to support projects run by persons with disabilities in different regions, including disability centres.

"In this regard, I have directed the Division of Disability Affairs to ensure that all income-generating projects for persons with disabilities are revived and made operational through the provision of capacity-building support and resources," she said.

Witbooi recently visited the Nakayale Disability Centre, where the government committed itself to providing industrial machinery and advanced tailoring equipment.

"In line with our commitment to advancing the interests, needs, self-representation and participation of persons with disabilities, the government continues to implement, coordinate and support critical programmes and initiatives.

"These include financial assistance for learners and students with disabilities, support for organisations representing persons with disabilities, assistance for individuals with severe disabilities, social grants, rehabilitation and habilitation services, and the provision of wheelchairs and sign language interpreters', she said.

The vice president stressed that the pursuit of inclusion, empowerment, innovation, accessibility and equal participation for persons with disabilities remains an ongoing process.

"Our goal remains the creation of a just and equal society in which persons with disabilities are treated as equal citizens. Our vision is an inclusive society where persons with disabilities can live their lives to the fullest," Witbooi said.

She urged participants to build on the momentum generated during the event.

"We must work together to achieve our shared objective of genuine inclusion. Inclusion means ensuring that no Namibian with a disability has to ask for a seat at the table because our national table was designed to include everyone from the outset.

"Let our discussions translate into tangible action as we work towards building an inclusive society for all. Let us collectively commit ourselves to eliminating the persistent physical and digital barriers that continue to exclude many people," Witbooi said.

The vice president also paid tribute to advocacy groups, non-governmental organisations and community-based associations representing persons with disabilities.

"You are the frontline defenders of human dignity. You are the voices demanding accountability and the hands delivering assistive devices to remote communities.

"We recognise the important role civil society plays in ensuring that disability rights remain a national priority through persistent advocacy. Thank you for leading by example.

"Together, we remain committed to closing the gaps in access, participation and representation for persons with disabilities across all sectors of society," she said.

Witbooi further noted that Namibia ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) and its Optional Protocol in 2007, demonstrating its commitment to promoting and protecting the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities.

"Our commitment is reflected in the implementation of national and international legal frameworks that advance disability mainstreaming across all sectors.

"These include the Constitution of Namibia, the Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6), the National Disability Council Act, 2004 (Act No. 26 of 2004), and the Revised National Policy on Disability of 1997, which I had the honour of launching in October 2025 and which the National Disability Council of Namibia is currently promoting across the country," Witbooi highlighted.