Minister of Women, Youth and People with Disabilities, Ms Sindisiwe Chikunga, launched Disability Rights Awareness Month 2025 (DRAM 2025) in Kimberley in the Northern Cape this week under the theme: “Creating Strategic Multisectoral Partnerships for a Disability-Inclusive Society”. South Africa observes National Disability Rights Awareness Month annually between 3 November and 3 December, with 3 December culminating in International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

Disability is the consequence of an impairment that may be physical, cognitive, mental, sensory, emotional, developmental, or some combination of these. A disability may be present from birth or occur during a person's lifetime. Disability Rights Awareness Month offers an opportunity for all of us to remove these barriers and to improve the quality of life of people with disabilities through concrete action.

The Department of Women, Youth and People with Disabilities is responsible for driving the government’s equity, equality and empowerment agenda in terms of those living with disabilities; however, the DBE will be observing DRAM to strengthen its commitment towards inclusive quality education in Early Childhood Education Centres and schools.

Inclusion is not a privilege; it is a right. Let’s build it together.