NACPWD Calls for Action on Disability Employment Rights

Council urges government and employers to turn legal protections into job opportunities for persons with disabilities The National Advisory Council for Persons with Disabilities (NACPWD) has called for stronger action to protect the employment rights of persons with disabilities in The Gambia, warning that legal provisions alone are insufficient without effective implementation. In a press statement issued on 21 October 2026 to mark National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), the Council highlighted the importance of equal employment opportunities under the theme #EmploymentRightsForAll. The Council said employment is a fundamental human right and an important pathway to economic independence, dignity and full participation in society. It referenced Section 33 of the 1997 Constitution of The Gambia, Sections 25–27 of the Persons with Disabilities Act 2021, and Article 27 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), which addresses work and employment. NACPWD expressed concern that many qualified persons with disabilities continue to face barriers to recruitment and employment despite existing legal protections. These barriers, it noted, undermine efforts to promote equality, inclusion and the participation of persons with disabilities in national development. The Council particularly called for effective implementation of the three per cent employment quota for persons with disabilities in public institutions, as referenced in its statement. It urged the relevant authorities to strengthen enforcement and ensure that recruitment policies and practices provide fair opportunities for qualified applicants with disabilities. NACPWD also announced plans to engage the Public Service Commission and the Ministry of Public Service on measures to advance disability-inclusive employment. The proposed efforts include developing a joint position on employment rights, highlighting the experiences and contributions of persons with disabilities already in employment, and increasing public awareness of inclusive recruitment. The Council called on government institutions, private-sector employers, development partners and the wider public to support practical measures that expand access to decent work for persons with disabilities. It stressed that inclusive employment requires more than recognising the rights of persons with disabilities in legislation. Employers must also address discriminatory attitudes, inaccessible recruitment processes and workplace barriers that prevent qualified people from securing and retaining jobs. According to NACPWD, improving employment opportunities for persons with disabilities would contribute to poverty reduction, strengthen household incomes and enable more people to participate meaningfully in the country’s social and economic development. The Council urged employers to assess their recruitment practices and ensure that applicants with disabilities are considered fairly on the basis of their qualifications, skills and abilities. It also called for sustained collaboration among public institutions, employers, organisations of persons with disabilities and development partners to turn commitments into measurable progress. As The Gambia observes National Disability Employment Awareness Month, NACPWD reiterated its call for stronger implementation of employment rights and greater recognition of the skills and contributions of persons with disabilities. The Council concluded with the message: “Employment Rights for All. There is ability in disability.” Issued by: National Advisory Council for Persons with Disabilities (NACPWD) Contact: +220 873145871 / 2184792 Email: nacpwds@gmail.com

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