We Protect

Although neglect, discrimination, and exclusion of PWDs are not peculiar to Pakistan, persons with disabilities (PWD) are often overlooked, unseen, unheard, and uncounted persons in Pakistan. The disgrace is so potent that families can resort to hiding their children, or in cases where the disability is mild or less pronounced, deny that there is any disability at all. The stigma is compounded by the fact that for many the only image of a person with a disability is that of a destitute street beggar. People with disabilities are conventionally looked at as an unproductive and useless part of the community and as a result, poor families tend to utilize them as a beggar; making money out of maximizing deformity exhibition. For women, there is double discrimination. It could be said that the only thing tougher than being a girl in Pakistan is being a girl with a disability in Pakistan. In comparison with men and boys, women and girls with disabilities face discrimination within the family and are denied access to health care, education, vocational training, employment, income-generating opportunities, finding a life partner, and are excluded from social and community activities. The pervasiveness of the prejudice and discrimination affecting disabled persons and the degree to which they are excluded from normal social intercourse produce psychological and social problems for many of them. Persons with disabilities are not only excluded from the normal social life of their communities but in fact, confined to four walls. There is a need to explicitly include the protection of the rights of persons with disabilities in the laws, policies, and strategies governing health, education, labor, housing, and the information and communications sector; but sadly our social system has failed them terribly. Angel’s Home is committed to not only providing a roof over their head but also becoming an active platform of complete protection where PWDs can lead a dignified life without any fear or obstacles.