The following post was written by POA Online Volunteer Cassandra Chin.

Off the Atlantic coast, Morocco is the fifty-seventh largest country in the world. However, with a population of 3.4 million, Morocco’s Social Development, Family and Solidarity Minister Nouzha Skalli says there are 156,900 blind and partially sighted people. Of that amount, 46.6 per cent are women.

At the 4th Forum of the African Union of the Blind (AFUB), which is chaired by Princess Lalla Lamia, Skalli stated that a recent national survey on disabilities revealed that the prevalence of visual disability is estimated at 28 per cent among disabled in Morocco.

Efforts in reducing visual disibility among women in Africa was emphasized, along with Africa’s role in developing the adopted Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. This was compared to the legislation that Morocco’s government adopted.

The theme for the forum was: “Now is the right time for significant inclusion.” An important phrase for a globalizing world, where culture and traditions are beginning to be understood. In time, disabilities, mental or physical, will be too.