WORLD AUTISM DAY EVENT 19 augst 2023 Impelemented by SACCO”]
World Autism Children’s Day was commemorated in Mogadishu on 19 August 2023, bringing together parents of children with autism, children with autism, and representatives from Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs). The event was organized by the Somalia Autism Children Care Organization (SACCO), a member of the Somali Disability Network (SDN), with the aim of raising awareness and promoting inclusion of children with autism in Somalia.
The event highlighted the limited awareness and understanding of autism within Somali society. Children with autism often face exclusion from education, public services, and social activities, while their families experience stigma, discrimination, and emotional distress. These challenges are worsened by the lack of inclusive policies, specialized services, and trained service providers.
Parents played a central role in the discussions, sharing personal experiences and calling for greater community support. A parent representative emphasized the importance of recognizing World Autism Children’s Day as a platform to advocate for the rights and protection of children with autism. Participants stressed the urgent need to stop harmful attitudes and behaviors toward children with autism and their caregivers.
SACCO leadership and disability stakeholders underlined the importance of collective action. The Chairperson of SACCO presented an overview of the challenges faced by children with autism in families, schools, and society, while the Chairperson of the Somali Disability Inclusion Cluster commended the establishment of SACCO by more than 20 mothers of children with autism and acknowledged the participation of OPDs and CSOs in promoting inclusion.
The event concluded with strong recommendations directed at communities, parents, public service providers, CSOs, OPDs, international donors, and the government. Key calls included promoting social acceptance, integrating children with autism into public services, strengthening awareness and advocacy programs, increasing donor support, and developing government policies and programs that protect and support children with autism and their families in Somalia.
