Disability Inclusion Matters: Staff voice from Togo

“Disability Inclusion Matters: Leaving No One Behind, Empowering Unity, Achieving More” is an internal RC system campaign aimed at celebrating and recognizing the crucial roles played by our colleagues with disabilities and the importance of each of us taking concrete steps to make the RC system more inclusive of persons with disabilities. This campaign is called for under the UN Disability Inclusion Strategy and outlined in DCO’s Disability Inclusion Strategy 2022-2025 to raise awareness and change attitudes and understandings around disability inclusion.


Damba Nikabou, UNV Communication and Disability inclusion Advocacy Associate, RCO Togo

What does working for the RC system mean to you?

Working in the Resident Coordinator's Office is an honour and a critical mission. It's a constant call to be sincere and dedicated in my work.
 

What are you most passionate about in your work?

I'm a lawyer by training with a background in communications. I'm most passionate about using my knowledge and experience, both professional and personal, to advance disability inclusion. My mission directly or indirectly alleviates the frustration and stress experienced by many persons like myself, both here in Togo and internationally. It's an absolute pleasure to serve others under the aegis of the United Nations.
 

What advice would you give for advancing the inclusion of persons with disabilities?

Here are a few of the actions I feel are urgently needed to advance disability inclusion: 

Raising awareness: It's essential to understand the problem to know how to solve it. There is little or no awareness of the different types of disability. It's crucial to organize awareness campaigns about disability and what it means to have an inclusive mindset. Everyone has a talent, and it's important to value people similarly, whether they are a person with disability or not. People need to have basic knowledge of disability. 

"Training and capacity-building for managers and employees: Discrimination is all too common. Inclusion is almost non-existent when you finally find a job or position. We feel excluded and confronted with an environment that makes no effort to understand our challenges. Managers should be trained to prepare the ground for welcoming and including persons with disabilities."

Click here to learn more about how UN teams around the world are supporting persons with disabilities.