With the 2024 elections only a few days away, promises are being made by mainstream political parties regarding major challenges facing Pakistan. Once again, persons with disabilities are among the marginalised groups wondering whether these elections will lead to any change in their lives or not.
As political parties promise 10 million jobs for the youth, youths with disabilities struggle to achieve their share of jobs.
A 2022 Labour Market Assessment says that the youth with disabilities often face barriers such as employers lacking confidence in their abilities. This creates a significant hurdle for their integration into the workforce.
The issues they face in getting employed are systemic. Their literacy rate is low due to hurdles they face in accessing education, with only a small percentage completing secondary and higher education. This diminishes their chances of formal sector employment. Their dreams of contributing to the economic development of the country and being recognised as useful citizens instead of a burden, remain unfulfilled.
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