EXCLUSIVE! Isaac Mwaura campaigns for inclusive toilets for PWDs
As the world gears up to celebrate World Toilet Day on November 19, 2023, with the theme Accelerating Change, Isaac Mwaura, the Government Spokesman and also an advocate for Persons With Disabilities (PWDs), sheds light on the country’s endeavors to accelerate positive transformations in infrastructure, specifically focusing on inclusive toilets.
In an exclusive interview with Nairobi News, Mwaura underscored the long-standing commitment to inclusivity in infrastructure development through extensive public participation.
He highlighted the collaborative efforts that have been ongoing for quite some time, aligning with the global theme of accelerating change in access to sanitation.
“The government involves PWDs in the design and planning stages of public amenities like toilets through public participation. This has been ongoing for quite some time,” Mwaura told Nairobi News.
Mwaura emphasised the role of Minimum Accessibility Standards developed by the Kenya Bureau of Standards as a catalyst for this change.
These standards provide a roadmap for contractors to design public toilets that cater comprehensively to the needs and concerns of Persons With Disabilities.
“The National Construction Authority, in collaboration with the National Council for Persons With Disabilities (NCPWD), is actively working to sensitise contractors, aiming to accelerate compliance and ensure that inclusive infrastructure becomes a norm rather than an exception,” he added.
As the world commemorates World Toilet Day, Mwaura emphasised the fundamental rights of all individuals to dignity, especially in public spaces.
He cited Articles 9 of the CRPD and Article 54 of the constitution, highlighting the legal framework that underpins the government’s commitment to upholding these rights.
Most buildings, organizations, and even public toilets are not designed to cater to the needs of PWDs.
As the world focuses on accelerating change in access to sanitation on World Toilet Day, Isaac Maigua Mwaura’s insights offer a glimpse into Kenya’s concerted efforts to ensure that this change is inclusive and considers the needs of Persons With Disabilities, ultimately striving towards a more accessible and equitable society.
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