Her Excellency Dr Samya Bahram, Assistant Undersecretary for Public Health, and Dr Tasnim Atatrah, WHO Representative in Bahrain, join community members to Walk the Talk for disability inclusion. Photo credit: WHO/WHO Bahrain

Participants of all ages and abilities taking part in the 800-metre walk around Sa’ada Seafront, Muharraq. Photo credit: WHO/WHO Bahrain 3 January 2024, Manama, Bahrain – To mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on 3 December 2023, WHO and Bahrain’s Ministry of Health jointly hosted “A Day for All” – an event to highlight the importance of mainstreaming disability inclusion across society. The event built on the success of the country’s “Public Spaces for All” campaign in 2022. 

Participants engaged in a symbolic 800-metre walk around Sa’ada Seafront in Muharraq to show Bahrain’s commitment to inclusivity and to the United Nations motto, “Nothing About Us Without Us”. Community members, including people with disabilities, took part along with government officials and representatives of the private sector.

The celebration also highlighted the recent launch of the National Action Plan for Persons with Disabilities by the Ministry of Social Development, showcasing Bahrain’s dedication to fostering an inclusive environment. 

Youth volunteers from the Ministry of Youth Affairs joined community members and government officials to mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Photo credit: WHO/WHO BahrainYouth volunteers from the Ministry of Youth Affairs joined in the event, demonstrating their commitment to promoting awareness of community engagement and disability inclusion at every level of society.

Dr Tasnim Atatrah, WHO Representative in Bahrain, said: “Inclusion should not be an afterthought. The day is about promoting the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities and raising awareness and barriers faced by persons with disabilities in their day-to-day lives”. 

The International Day of Persons with Disabilities highlights the critical importance of social inclusion. The Walk the Talk event served as a platform to actively promote and create equal opportunities, emphasizing the need to engage people with disabilities meaningfully in all aspects of life. 

The organizers of the event passionately advocated for physical activity and social inclusion: both play a vital role in building a more equitable and supportive community for all. Through these objectives, the collaborative effort echoed Bahrain’s commitment to create a society where diversity is celebrated and no one is left behind.