Expanding Awareness Raising and Advocacy

Negative cultural practices, beliefs and attitudes towards children with disabilities are prevalent in schools, communities and the general Tanzanian society. Also, public polices and legislations for addressing diversity and promoting inclusive education are inadequate and poorly reinforced. These problems contribute to denying children with disabilities their basic human rights including right to education, and even survival. Through public awareness-raising and advocacy, FAE works alongside other stakeholders to ensure that children with disabilities can access education services and are not excluded or discriminated against, but empowered to claim their rights from their families, communities and the society in general. Also, promote awareness of the potential, abilities, talents and contributions of children with disabilities.

To be useful, awareness-raising and advocacy shall ensure that awareness about disabilities, negative beliefs and attitudes towards children with disabilities and the rights of children with disabilities are known and understood in schools, families, communities and the society in general and that they can be put into practice. Besides, children with disabilities themselves must understand their own rights and how to assert them. It is expected that these measures will help dismantle stigma and discriminatory practices against children with disabilities and more children with disabilities will be brought to school. Also, respecting the rights of children with disabilities contributes to a sustainable promotion of a human rights culture as children will grow knowing their rights, responsibilities and obligation as rights holders. Furthermore, the awareness-raising and advocacy efforts are expected to produce more change agents from all works of life who will be empowered to be the champions for disability inclusive education, and for other rights of children with disabilities.