Persons with dwarfism in the Kavango East and West regions have called for greater inclusion and equal access to basic services, education, and employment opportunities.
During a meeting held in Rundu this week, members of the community shared emotional testimonies about the daily discrimination they face from ridicule and bullying in schools to being overlooked for jobs and community activities.
Chiumba Ezekiel, Chairperson of Special People in Namibia, said many individuals with dwarfism struggle to live dignified lives due to persistent social stigma and neglect. “Our children are mocked in classrooms, and adults face humiliation and exclusion in public spaces,” he said.
The meeting, which included regional youth forum leaders Moses Shikerete and Jonas Kakenge, focused on how to engage government institutions to address these challenges and promote equality.
Ezekiel emphasized that inclusion is not only a human rights issue but also a matter of national development. “We need government and society to see us as capable contributors, not as people to be pitied,” he added.
According to available figures, the Kavango East Region is home to about 200 people with dwarfism, while Kavango West has around 150. The group urged policymakers to consider targeted programmes that support access to education, employment, and social welfare for persons with dwarfism across the country.
