UNICEF Promotes Meeting of Children with Disabilities and Ministry of Finance.

In allusion to the month of the child, the UNICEF Representative, Antero De Pina, and his team, held a special meeting on June 24 with the Ministry of Finance and children with disabilities. The event brought together children from different provinces of the country, allowing them to share their life stories, dreams, needs, and opinions and claim their rights.

Among the participants was 15-year-old Abreu Satambue, who expressed his vision of a more inclusive future and his dream "My dream is to be a deputy, so that I can be an active advocate for the rights of children with disabilities."

"I want to be heard and help build a world where all children, including those with disabilities, have equal opportunities to dream and achieve their dreams," Abreu added.

The conference room of the Ministry of finance, normally occupied by technical discussions and financial policies, was transformed into a space of inspiration and empathy. The event represented a major step towards greater awareness of decision-makers on the issue of children with disabilities and their inclusion in the General State Budget.

Using sign language and with the help of an interpreter, Jovanilson Rabaçal described how he learned to communicate efficiently "I learned to communicate with sign language at school, every day I overcome challenges to communicate, but no matter how we communicate, the important thing is to understand each other," said Jovanilson.

The event also played a crucial role in creating an environment where the voices of children with disabilities could be heard and respected, highlighting the importance of inclusion and accessibility in public policies.

Representatives of the Ministry of Finance, touched by the children's reports and performances, emphasized the importance of allocating adequate resources to inclusion and accessibility programs. The need for investments in accessible infrastructure, inclusive educational programs, and support services that ensure the full development of children with disabilities was discussed.

Dorivaldo Correia, 9 years old, underlined the importance of recognizing and valuing the voice of children with disabilities in the dialogue about inclusion: "My way of seeing the world may be different, but my dreams and desires are the same as any other child's," he said. 

This event was a call to action for a more inclusive and just future. Finance Minister Vera Daves pledged to redouble efforts to create a more inclusive environment for all citizens "our goal is not only to allocate financial resources efficiently, but also to ensure that every child, including those with disabilities, receives the support they need to thrive and contribute fully to our society."