Disability Inclusion Matters: Staff voice from Rwanda

“Disability Inclusion Matters: Leaving No One Behind, Empowering Unity, Achieving More” is an internal RC system campaign aimed at celebrating and recognizing the crucial roles played by our colleagues with disabilities and the importance of each of us taking concrete steps to make the RC system more inclusive of persons with disabilities. This campaign is called for under the UN Disability Inclusion Strategy and outlined in DCO’s Disability Inclusion Strategy 2022-2025 to raise awareness and change attitudes and understandings around disability inclusion.
 

Jean de Dieu Ukwishatse, UNV Disability Inclusion Specialist, RCO Rwanda

What does working for the RC system mean to you?

Working for the RCO is synonymous with opportunities for personal and professional development. I meet people from different backgrounds, cultures and lifestyles. This enhances my readiness to work in a diverse and multicultural environment. Being part of the RCO allows me to contribute to implementing the SDGs and leave no one behind. In my role, I support the UN Diversity and Inclusion Task Force in ensuring the inclusion of disabilities in all programmes and operations of the UN system in Rwanda.
 

What are you most passionate about in your work?

I'm very passionate about standing up for vulnerable communities and helping others. Since I was young, I've always worked to improve the lives of marginalized groups of people to be self-reliant and fulfill their human rights, especially persons with disabilities. Being a staff member with disability and working on the inclusion of persons with disabilities for the RCO is the perfect way to realize my passion and gives me the fantastic opportunity to contribute to the UN's work in Rwanda on the inclusion and empowerment of persons with disabilities. 

What advice would you give for advancing the inclusion of persons with disabilities?

"Persons with disabilities have the same abilities as all other members of society. To advance inclusion, we need to set an example by applying the various international human rights conventions, particularly the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and ensure the UN Disability Inclusion Strategy is integrated into all UN programming and operational activities."
 

Click here to learn more about how UN teams around the world are supporting persons with disabilities.