As Rwanda continues to work toward greater inclusion, challenges remain in creating truly equitable opportunities, particularly for people with disability. Despite advancements, gaps in employment and societal acceptance still persist, leaving many individuals excluded, according to officials.
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As the world celebrates Zero Discrimination Day, on March 1, the call to embrace and value diversity is promoted under the theme, "Stand Out”, as the day urges everyone to stand up for fair and just societies, recognizing the diverse talents and skills that each person brings.
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Welcoming diversity in all its forms not only strengthens communities but also enhances social cohesion, fostering a more inclusive and supportive global society. Officials are calling for stronger advocacy and inclusive practices to ensure that people with disabilities can access equal opportunities and contribute to society.
Marthe Mukakamanzi, the head of the justice committee at the National Council of Persons with Disabilities (NCPD) in Kigali, highlighted challenges faced by people with mental disabilities, who are often wrongly characterised as "mad” and seen as incapable of contributing meaningfully to society.
"People with mental disabilities face significant discrimination. Even when they have valuable ideas, they are often regarded as useless, which has led to a lack of opportunities for them to showcase their talents. As a result, they are excluded from important conversations and societal contributions,” said Mukakamanzi.
"People with disabilities, including those with visual impairments, face significant barriers to employment despite possessing skills and education comparable to their non-disabled peers. Employers often overlook their qualifications due to a widespread lack of trust in their abilities, denying them opportunities before even testing their skills.”
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Jean de Dieu Mutsinzi, a visually impaired man in Kayonza District, highlighted a significant issue faced by many people with disabilities in rural areas.
"Many disabled individuals in rural communities possess remarkable talents such as singing or playing musical instruments. However, they struggle to find platforms where they can develop and showcase these abilities,” he said.
"This exclusion from artistic spaces is a reflection of the broader issue of insufficient support for people with disabilities to reach their full potential.”
While acknowledging the progress made in raising awareness about disability and fostering inclusion, Mutsinzi emphasized that challenges remain.
"Though we have made positive strides, especially in educating Rwandans about disability, there are still persistent barriers in employment and societal acceptance. Discrimination may be decreasing, but it is far from gone. People with disabilities often lack the confidence to pursue job opportunities because of the stigma they face, which continues to hold them back.”
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Emmanuel Ndayisaba, the Executive Secretary of NCPD, acknowledgeded that discrimination has historically been high, but is reducing by time.
"It’s a long process to fight discrimination, as society has long believed that people with disabilities are not capable although progress is evident. The key to further reducing discrimination lies in collaboration between various stakeholders, including the Ministry of Labour, to ensure the proper implementation of laws designed to protect and promote the employment of people with disabilities,” said Ndayisaba.
"One of the challenges even with existing laws designed to protect people with disabilities in the workforce is that employers often find ways to circumvent these regulations. When two individuals go for a job interview or exam and have the same marks, the law suggests that the job should be given to the person with a disability. However, employers who discriminate may remove marks from people with disabilities before they even start the exam.”
Ndayisaba said that the implementation of a quota system is underway, which will be instrumental in addressing discrimination and promoting greater inclusion.
"Under this system, companies would be required to employ a minimum percentage of people with disabilities, where at least 5 per cent of the employees should be people with disabilities. Companies that do not adhere to this law should face fines, which would then be directed to a fund supporting people with disabilities,” he said.
"Drawing on success stories from countries where similar laws have been implemented, companies employing people with disabilities often experience benefits such as tax reductions, to offset the additional expenses of making workplaces accessible.”