Caring for the blind in Morocco

Nouzha Skalli

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 4th Forum of the African Union of the Blind (AFUB), chaired by Princess Lalla Lamia, President of the Alaouite Organization of the Promotion of the Blind in Morocco (OAPAM), Social Development, Family and Solidarity minister, Nouzha Skalli, said that the national survey on disabilities showed that the prevalence of visual disability is estimated at 28% among the disabled population in Morocco.

There are 157,900 blind and partially sighted people in Morocco, including 46.6% of women, minister Skalli, said,

Skalli stressed the importance of this forum which is part of the momentum witnessed by African societies and efforts aiming to improve management of the issue of visual disability among women in Africa.

She also highlighted the important role played by African countries in the development and adoption of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (December 13, 2006), recalling that Morocco has launched the ratification process of this Convention which was adopted recently by the Government.

Themed "Now is the right time for significant inclusion", the forum, which will be followed by the 6th AFUB General Assembly with delegations representing 50 African countries.


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