Benin/Participation of disabled people in political life: The Coiph involves and raises awareness among political parties

As part of the "Droits politiques des personnes handicapées en action" (Political rights of disabled people in action) project, the Creuset d'orientation et d'intégration des personnes handicapées (Coiph) initiated a meeting to exchange ideas and raise awareness among political parties. The event took place on Thursday, July 4, 2024, at the headquarters of the Fédération des associations des personnes handicapées du Bénin (Faphb).

Nothing for us without us". It is on this slogan that the Coiph has based its "Political rights of disabled people in action" project. This project aims to promote the political participation of people with disabilities, giving them a role in decision-making affecting their community. This will give them the means, as voters or eligible candidates, to influence the way the political system works. With this in mind, the Coiph has trained 120 disabled people, including a dozen from Benin's twelve departments.

This equipped sample will be able to train other disabled people. "In fine, these disabled people will be sensitized and motivated to join political parties and demonstrate that disability is not a fatality", Coiph President Abdel Ouorou Rahmane Barè told the political parties present. He pointed out that the aim of this project is not to create a party, but to equip future political party activists with the ability to militate and win the best possible positions. "We know they won't be given a free ride, but activism is an imperative to which they must submit in order to support the social inclusion so desired by all", he maintained. For this reason, this meeting aims to raise awareness among twenty members of political parties on disability and the political rights of disabled people.

During the discussions, disability was discussed in terms of legal protection for the political participation of disabled people, obstacles to the political participation of disabled people, and the careers of political figures who have made a difference.es, the career paths of political figures who have been disabled people, and measures to ensure inclusive political processes with genuine participation by disabled people. The Fcbe, Les Démocrates, Pc, Br and UP le Renouveau parties responded favorably to the Coiph's call, out of the ten invited.

Source: matinlibre.com/