OREANDA-NEWS. October 15, 2010. The Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Kazakhstan supported by the Union of Journalists of Kazakhstan held a media meeting devoted to the Day of Persons with Disabilities of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The annual National Day of Persons with Disabilities (celebrated every second Sunday of October) aims to highlight challenges faced by persons with disabilities and exercise of their rights as well as to raise awareness of benefits of involvement of persons with disabilities into various aspects of political, social, economic and cultural life of the society.

Having this special day in mind, UNDP and the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection with the assistance of the Union of Journalists announced the results of the national contest ‘From Social Exclusion to Equality: Realising the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Kazakhstan’ for the best printed media publication focusing on problems of persons with disabilities.

The jury consisting of prominent advocates for the rights of persons with disabilities, well-known journalists, representatives of the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of Population of Kazakhstan and UNDP chose the best articles. Priority was given to positive articles, which avoided stereotypes about persons with disabilities and addressed not only the problem itself, but also ways to solve it.

Winners of the Kazakh language publication contest are:

1st place - Sholpan Salykova, North Kazahstan Oblast, Esil Oneri newspaper;

2nd place - Aisha Turmaganbetova, Astana, Zan republican newspaper;

3rd place - Dinara Zheldibayeva, Turkestan, Turkestan newspaper.

Winners of the Russian language publication contest are:

1st place - Almira Alishbayeva, Aktobe, Diapazon newspaper;

2nd place – Jamilya Jakupova, Kostanai, Kostanai newspaper;

3rd place – Natalya Urazgaliyeva, Atyrau, Pricaspiyskya communa newspaper.

By signing the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocol In December 2008 Kazakhstan has demonstrated its serious intentions to introduce important reforms in the system of human rights in the domain of disabilities aimed at the realisation of human rights and social inclusion of persons with disabilities. The contest was held to support the preparation of the Republic of Kazakhstan for the ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.