I hope this message finds you in good health.

In Gilgit Baltistan, despite being an educated region, the rights of disabled individuals often face neglect. Gilgit Baltistan boasts a higher number of educated individuals compared to other regions in Pakistan. Unfortunately, the practice of confining disabled individuals to their homes persists, highlighting a significant societal oversight. Despite these challenges, the disabled community initiated the Good Will Movement to create better opportunities. We inaugurated the Skill Development Center in 2022, aiming to provide training in various skills, including computer training and LED bulb making. Our organization, operating with limited resources, has been steadfast in its commitment to helping people with disabilities learn different skills.

The Good Will Movement has been actively raising awareness in society for many years. In addition to skill development, we are providing assistive devices to aid individuals with disabilities in walking and moving. It’s disheartening to note that while our organization strives to make a positive impact, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) occupies the building of the government’s Special Education hostel. This not only reflects the government’s misplaced priorities but also hinders the progress of initiatives aimed at empowering disabled individuals.

In contrast, our institution has stepped in to provide hostel facilities to some disabled individuals, facilitating their education and skill development. Despite the scarcity of resources, we have managed to create a supportive environment where disabled individuals can pursue higher education and acquire various skills.

It’s a testament to the resilience and determination of our community. As we mark International Disability Day, let’s come together to lay the foundation for a society where every person, regardless of ability, has equal opportunities to live a fulfilling life. While we celebrate our achievements, it’s crucial to acknowledge the gaps in our civil society and government’s approach to disability rights in Gilgit Baltistan.

The civil society in Gilgit Baltistan, despite its educated demographic, has not fully embraced the cause of disabled individuals. There exists a persistent mindset that tends to overlook the capabilities and potential contributions of people with disabilities. It is imperative for our civil society to undergo a paradigm shift, fostering inclusivity and actively supporting initiatives that empower the disabled community. Furthermore, the government of Gilgit Baltistan needs to reassess its priorities and allocate resources more effectively.

The occupation of the Special Education hostel by the National Accountability Bureau is a glaring example of misplaced priorities. The government should prioritize the well-being and education of disabled individuals, ensuring that the necessary infrastructure is in place to support their growth and development. , let’s use this International Disability Day as an opportunity to reflect on the progress we’ve made and the challenges that lie ahead. By criticizing and holding our civil society and government accountable, we can collectively work towards building a more inclusive and equitable society for all.

Meet these incredible brothers at our institution who, despite their challenges with speaking, hearing, and visual impairment, are undergoing training with remarkable determination. It’s been a joy to witness their relentless hard work and commitment to education. One brother is learning International Sign Language, as well as the other brother learning sign language as well as Ms Word!

We’re calling on all to join us in supporting their journey and those like them. Your contributions will play a pivotal role in shaping specialized training programs for individuals facing similar obstacles. Let’s make education inclusive for everyone!

Click the link to donate and be part of this impactful initiative ➡️ https://gbgoodwillmovement.com/donate-us/
Together, let’s empower and educate. 🌟

#InclusiveEducation #Empowerment #DonateForGood #diversityandinclusion

As disabled people, we are told that foreign aid is scarce in Pakistan.

The question is that where does this foreign aid go? Foreign aid is different from individual aid, whereby countries (donors) donate to others.

A recent Scottish Government development Report highlighted that SG gives educational fund allowances to the government of Pakistan (donor recipents). How much of this is spend on Disabled education : Keeping in mind that GB has the highest number of educated people?. Only time will tell.

Human right organisations should keep this in mind in GB while dealing with inclusion and should acconut their local governments.

A couple of weeks ago, we had questioned why the Social Welfare Department was non-inclusive, jobs. Here again we have seen the Jobs in Planning and Development Department Government of Gilgit Baltistan being non inclusive.

Logical fallacy

Most if not some of the jobs in the P & D Department would require some form of data entry. Why cant these jobs be given to disabled persons? We do not say simply employ disabled people but those with merit should be given a chance.

Wherever there are political, economic, and social crises: regardless, can practice his own freedom of expression and religion. Regardless of tensions within the nation – the right to roam around in a state as a free rider. One has his social rights.

Regardless of governance in Pakistan, the individual, the free rider can practice his own freedom of expression, religion and so on. This article is a narrative rather than a guide for Persons with Disabilities, about the unjust treatment of disabled people.

The right of education

Education is a right for all defined by the UN and other international agencies such as UNICEF. The global average intake of school pupils is 5 to 16, an early part of Childhood moving into Adulthood. The biological changes that take place during this period are for most, if not all, children. Regrettably a disabled child is not allowed to particpate in schooling as it will affect the norms of society. In areas like GB and KPK where tribalism exists, this is more so of the case.

Right to healthcare

Healthcare facilities are not disabled-friendly. Wherever there is a chance, healthcare professionals ignore Persons with Disabilities. In Gilgit, where there is a smaller community as compared to Islamabad or Lahore, healthcare is not being standardised for the disabled community. For instance a key part of our work, is data entry but most of the time, we do not have the accurate information of CNICs and whatnot. This is a public health failure.

Housing

The famous Pakistani People’s Party Slogan ‘ Give bread, clothes and a state-controlled or autonomous. is one of many that BB’s party gave. For more than 70 years, whether state controlled or autonomus, governments have been selling these slogans. Why? There was a famous social prottection policy being implemented in GB? What has been done about that?

Other Rights

Even a decent walk in the park or the JamatKhana or the mosque is not permissible by the social norms values of Pakistani society. This has to change. People have to stop playing GOD in Society

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In the USA, disabled people are reducing the labor shortages by being employed in remote working conditions. The Wall street Journal Found that in the US over 30% of disabled people are now in remote work. This begs the question if the US, a superpower, can do it why cant the Government of Gilgit Baltistan?

Tech leaders should listen to the voices of disabled people in Gilgit Baltistan, and try to encourage them to be more active in the IT sector.

While the Goodwill Movement has provided facts and figures, these are very basic and, to an extent, known. The last article, Society and Disability, mentioned how a disabled person’s circumstances (his family) could influence him and his community (friends, peers, etc.). However, that does not justify, in other words, adding value judgment until the self is appeased, which can lead to issues like mental health.

The disabled self

Not that one should obsess about the self, but in Pakistani, breathing rumors is freer than breathing air. Rumors often remarked at early childhood levels like: Who is he? What have they done to deserve him? This parent has done so many sins that one should expect him. [1] So one begs to differ: where is this hatred coming from? One factor is language and culture. Culture needs no further explanation, but language does. For instance, in the native language of Hunza, laagan, which has connotations of being mentally retarded is used widely in Hunza. That being said, not negatively, but words can have effects that one should know about.

We came across a story whereby a disabled person was not willing to accept their condition for a long period of their life because it would freak others out. This idea that a disabled person cannot be politically correct needs to change very rapidly as it would affect one’s mental health, cognitively, emotionally, and socially.

Way forward.

There are initiatives and incentives for mental health prevention and  other schemes, include disabled people in the conversation! Otherwise negative consequences will be felt by the disabled community!

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[1] * Him is used to describe an experience that most disabled men have, which is more representative of the Goodwill organization. There is no sexism intended.

An important visit from British Learned Ismaili Scholars Dr Rashida Hunzai and Dr Faqeer Muhammad Hunzai took place at Goodwill Centre on 27th October 2023.

On the request of Mr Ghulam Muhammad Baig, both scholars visited the centre.

Their praise and appreciation for special tour and services in support of the well-being and development of disabled individuals warmed our hearts.

Their valuable message resonates deeply with our mission – they emphasized that disabled individuals are an essential part of our society. Inclusion and support for all members of our community are pivotal for progress and growth.

We remain committed to our vision of empowering and uplifting disabled individuals, creating a more inclusive and prosperous society for all.

Thank you for your unwavering support Dr Rasheeda and Dr Faqeer Muhammad!

Introduction

Everyone has a family and community in the sense that people are connected via friendships, blood relations, and professional connections in society. I mean everyone who can talk, walk, and communicate. It is one thing to say, but it is another to implement.

When we remark that the government or the Department of Social Welfare is responsible for caring for the disabled community, it does not mean that each person is not doing it; instead, it is the talk of the whole institution (Webinar).

Detailed Governance issues

The fact that there is conflict begs to differ as to why the GB community does not respect disabled people, as it is very clearly the case. Sorry to say, but multiple factors, such as Stigma and Social Pressure, cause this issue. What is the reason that the community is scared of us? Why are there no proper R&D resources? What is going on here? Recent issue

These are good questions, but they are being asked in the wrong communities. When will there be accountability for these marginalized communities?

Otherwise this by stander effect, allows families to have unrealistic expectations or beliefs about what is considered “normal’ and may attribute disabilities to negative factors which is irrationa, immorall and unscientific

Conclusion

That is why we see families and communities adopting carefree attitudes. A political consensus can not be reached until there is a sociopolitical solution to granting Human rights, individual and social rights to persons with disablities. The state has to take care of the communities