Haunted by economic woes, special people seek jobs

SHIBERGHAN (Pajhwok): A number of people with disabilities in northern Jawzjan province complain of economic problems and ill-treatment from some people, asking the government to provide them with job opportunities.

Habibullah, a blind resident of Shiberghan, accused the previous government of paying no attention to their problems, including financial woes.

He told Pajhwok Afghan News: “With a Bachelor’s degree in economics. I have been unemployed for several years. Wherever I apply for a job, I’m ignored and this is a situation people with disabilities are facing daily.”

He asked the relevant authorities to pay attention to solving the problems of the disabled, providing them with jobs and enabling them to overcome their economic difficulties.

Habibullah also complains about maltreatment at the hands of some individuals. “There are people in our society who make fun of us, using ugly words for us.”

Ahmad Parwaiz, another disabled man, also grumbled about unkind behaviour of some people. “Although I can read and write, I don’t have a job and have to deal with a host of difficulties.”

Sarf Naz, whose right leg was paralysed in an accident, commented: “Unemployment has been a long-term challenge for women with disabilities, most of whom are struggling to find jobs.”

Haunted by poverty, she added, “I sew clothes, but my income is not enough to meet our needs. Our economic position is very weak. It would be good if we could find employment.”

She believes if the private sector establishes tailoring workshops and hires people like her, many special individuals will be employed and their economic concerns addressed.

Zabihullah Qahraman, head of the Deaf Association and the Afghanistan Disabled and Deaf People’s Support Institute in Jawzjan, said the institute was recently created.

The main purpose of the association is to protect the rights of the disabled. He called on IEA and donors to support people with disabilities in various sectors so that they are not a burden on their families and society.

Maulvi Shabir Ahmad Maqsoud, head of the Martyrs and Disabled Department, told Pajhwok a large number of people had become disabled due to more than four decades of war and insecurity in the country. Some of them are currently hunted by unemployment and severe economic hardship.

He says technical and vocational training programs and distribution of aid to the disabled are underway and the department is trying to provide them with jobs in cooperation with NGOs and the private sector.

According to the source, more than 4,000 people with disabilities are currently registered with the department and are paid by the government.

sa/mud

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