MONROVIA, LIBERIA – Despite legal frameworks aimed at promoting the inclusion of persons with disabilities (PWDs), Liberia remains far from meeting its commitment to ensuring employment opportunities for this marginalized group. The National Commission on Disability (NCD), established by an Act of the Legislature in 2005, mandates that four percent of employees in workplaces with 100 or more workers must be qualified persons with disabilities. However, implementation of this provision remains limited, leaving many PWDs without meaningful employment.
The former Director of the NCD, Madam Recadia Dennis, previously acknowledged the government’s failure to meet this legal requirement. In a 2021 article published by AllAfrica.com, she revealed that only 27 persons with disabilities were visibly employed across the public sector since the NCD was established in 2008. She attributed the low representation to a lack of enforcement and the absence of comprehensive, updated data on PWD employment.
The NCD, which operates as an autonomous agency of the Liberian government, is tasked with protecting and promoting the rights of PWDs. Section 2 of the Act establishing the Commission grants it authority over all matters concerning the welfare, well-being, and education of disabled persons in Liberia. Despite these legal provisions, PWDs continue to face systemic exclusion from employment and other social services.
Liberia has taken steps to align itself with international commitments on disability rights. In 2012, the government signed and ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), a binding treaty aimed at ensuring the human rights of PWDs. Article 27 of the CRPD emphasizes the right of persons with disabilities to equal work opportunities and prohibits discrimination in all aspects of employment. The adoption of the Decent Work Act in 2015 further reinforced these protections by prohibiting employment discrimination and requiring compensation for workers who become disabled due to their jobs.
Additionally, the government launched a National Action Plan on Disability in 2018 and approved a National Inclusive Education Policy to support educational opportunities for persons with disabilities. However, these policy actions have not translated into significant improvements in employment or public accessibility.
PWDs in Liberia continue to encounter numerous challenges, including inaccessible public and private facilities and a lack of economic opportunities. Many are forced to beg on the streets to survive, highlighting the urgent need for greater enforcement of existing laws and stronger support systems.
The Ministry of Justice has pledged to continue advocating for persons with disabilities and collaborating with government agencies, national and international partners, and civil society to address these issues. The Ministry emphasized its commitment to fostering an inclusive society where PWDs, particularly women, can access employment and live with dignity.
Organizations representing persons with disabilities, such as the National Union of Organizations of the Disabled (NUOD), also play a crucial role in advocating for the rights and needs of PWDs. Established in 1995, the NUOD is the primary umbrella organization for PWDs in Liberia and represents over 30 registered Disabled People Organizations.
