NEW DELHI (India CSR): With over 63 million people in India living with disabilities, according to the NFHS-5 (2019-21), the imperative to integrate these individuals into the workforce has never been more urgent. While progress has been made, significant work remains to ensure that people with disabilities are not only employed but also empowered to thrive in India’s rapidly expanding economy.
Highlighting the Employment Gap
The recent Zero Project India Conference 2024, held at The Leela Hotel in Gurugram, brought attention to this critical issue. The conference served as a platform for industry leaders, policymakers, and disability advocates to explore strategies for enhancing employment opportunities for people with disabilities. Alarmingly, data from Nifty 50 companies revealed that only five out of the 50 firms employ more than 1% of persons with disabilities. Despite the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, mandating 4% job reservations in public sector companies, a significant gap remains in meeting these targets.
Calls for Action and Accountability
Meera Shenoy, Founder and CEO of Youth4Jobs Foundation, emphasized the need for focused efforts during the conference:
“While we have made progress in creating policies for inclusion, it’s clear that more must be done to ensure effective implementation and accountability.”
Shenoy highlighted that targeted efforts could transform the lives of people with disabilities, noting that Youth4Jobs has reached 15 million households and impacted over 590,000 youths.
Global Collaboration for Local Solutions
Michael Fembek, CEO of the Zero Project, added,
“As we gather for the Zero Project India Conference 2024, we have a unique opportunity to build bridges between our global network of experts and the incredible innovations emerging from India.”
This collaboration aims to drive real progress in making the world more inclusive.
Government Support and Corporate Responsibility
Rajesh Aggarwal, IAS, Secretary of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, reinforced the importance of job creation, stating,
“While the corporate sector has made strides, there is still a need to scale initiatives and improve infrastructure for day-to-day living for persons with disabilities.”
The event received support from The Hans Foundation and Axis Bank Foundation, highlighting the importance of cross-sector collaboration.
A Catalyst for Change
Concluding the conference, Martin Essl, Founder of the Essl Foundation, remarked,
“The Zero Project India Conference 2024 is not just an event—it’s a catalyst for change.”
The conference set the stage for collaborative efforts toward a future where inclusivity is not just an aspiration but a reality, generating momentum for transformative change in the lives of millions of people with disabilities.
