PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES BILL TABLED BEFORE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY CHAMBERS FOR ENACTMENT

Today Thursday the 18 June 2020 the long awaited Persons With Disabilities Bill is tabled before the National Assembly Members at its chambers in Banjul for enactment

Pursuant tto Clause 67 sub 2) of the standing order, the Minister for Women, Children and Social Welfare presents the said bill for second reading. The Bill is moved by the Minister and seconded. Earlier, the said bill has been read before the cabinet on the 5th and 8 of February, 2020. The bill is part of government’s commitment to support, respect, protect and promote the rights of Persons With Disabilities. Pursuant to Section 31) of the 1997 Constitution of the Gambia, seeks to support PWDS Education, Employment,Rehabilitation, Vocational and other services. According to the Speaker of the Parliament, Mariam Jack Denton, This is the first time, in light of many previous bills before the Assembly, that, Persons With Disabilities Bill is presented before the National Assembly for consideration. The Bill has being read a second time before the national assembly Members and same is successful at this stage. Now, the said Persons With Disabilities Bill shall go through the committee stage for third reading. Thereafter, when approved therefrom, same is expected to be finally approved by the National Assembly.
Thereafter, same will go to the president for his assent.
Today, Persons With Disabilities from their respective Disabled Peoples Organisations converged at the national assembly chambers to witness the discussion of this bill. Other wellwishers and the media fraternity are also present. To PWDS, This bill is the most important legislation in the country since same is dealing with the inherent rights of the most vulnerable.