On this International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the Disability Migration Network (DMN) proudly joins global voices to champion the leadership and contributions of persons with disabilities.
The DMN, a coalition of Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) and migration-oriented organisations, stands as a driving entity amplifying the leadership and voices of persons with disabilities in ASEAN’s migration landscape.
Currently, labour migration is not a realistic opportunity for the majority of us (persons with disabilities). There has been limited inclusion of our voices in policy, programs and in the wider labour migration discourse. We are often portrayed as a drain on a country’s social services, or a problem to be prevented. In existing policies, we are often deemed as either victims or as vulnerable persons in need of protection or to be recipients of care.
Our voices are often muted, and we remain on the periphery of action.
The DMN calls on governments, agencies, and human rights defenders to bring OPDs into the core of monitoring mechanisms, policy discussions, forums, and programs.
Bringing OPDs from the periphery into the core. Working in accordance with:
- The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).
- The International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention No. 159 on Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Disabled Persons).
- The ASEAN Enabling Masterplan 2025: Mainstreaming the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Let’s position persons with disabilities as agents of change and make labour migration a realistic opportunity for all.
#DisabilityDay #IDPD #EveryoneIncluded #GlobalGoals #CRPD #disabilityresponsivemigration
Disability Migration Network (DMN) 