MONROVIA – President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has assured the Government of Liberia support to children living with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) and urged Liberians to treat such kids with dignity and love.
Speaking during the official launch of the National Autism Awareness Campaign on Tuesday, November 10 at the Ministerial Complex in Congo town, outside Monrovia, President Boakai expressed appreciation, especially to mothers, parents and caregivers who provide care for children with disabilities in the face of emotional, financial and social challenges.
The President described parents’ and caregivers’ responsibilities as difficult and called for stronger support to families and caregivers.
The President also expressed gratitude to international partners, the visiting Wood System of Care delegation and other stakeholders for their immense support to children affected by the syndrome.
The President lauded his wife, the First Lady, Mrs. Kartuma Yarta Boakai and expressed pride in supporting such a humanitarian initiative to advance the rights and welfare of children and families with disabilities.
President Boakai said a nation’s true development should be measured by how it treats its most vulnerable citizens and frowned on reports of children with autism being abused, rejected and misunderstood because of harmful beliefs about witchcraft and other misconceptions.
He said children with autism deserve to be loved, protected, educated and given opportunities, emphasizing that education is the most powerful weapon to change the world.
The President urged government authorities to seriously consider the conference’s recommendations and translate them into practical interventions to ensure that children with disabilities have access to education that enables them to develop and contribute to nation-building.
He said public awareness alone will not mitigate the challenges facing persons with disabilities and that the country must move from talking to concrete action.
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