On a milestone Saturday marking 15 years of disability advocacy in Suriname, President Jennifer Simons made a landmark pledge: people with disabilities across the nation will no longer be sidelined from national growth, and will gain a formal voice in shaping the country’s long-term future plans.
The announcement came during a jubilee celebration for the Suriname-based disability rights organization Stichting Wan Okasi, held at Riverside Shadien, where Simons opened by offering public praise for the foundational work the group has carried out since its founding in 2011. Over 15 years, Wan Okasi has evolved from a small grassroots initiative into one of the country’s most influential advocates for the rights and inclusion of people with disabilities.
In her address, President Simons emphasized that the unique talents, relentless perseverance, and extraordinary courage of people with disabilities prove they are fully capable of making meaningful, valuable contributions to Surinamese society. “The grit and determination of people with disabilities inspire us all, and teach us a daily lesson that nothing should hold us back from pursuing our goals,” the head of state told attendees. She went on to underscore that equal access to opportunity is a core responsibility of the national government. “This is a collective responsibility for our entire society, but the government holds a formal duty to support this community and give them the same space to grow and thrive that every other citizen enjoys,” Simons said.
Most notably, the president confirmed that representatives of the disability community will be included in the special working group tasked with drafting Suriname’s national long-term development roadmap. “Our national vision is built on the promise that no one will be left behind,” she stated.
Following the president’s remarks, Aniel Koendjbiharie, chair of Wan Okasi, took the stage to reflect on the organization’s progress over 15 years, while outlining ambitious new plans for expanding disability inclusion across the country. Koendjbiharie highlighted key wins the organization has secured to date, including major contributions to the establishment of Suriname’s national human rights institute, improvements to road safety for disabled people, and expanded access to financial services for the community.
Looking ahead, the group is rolling out new initiatives focused on expanding educational access. A new pilot program is already in development to give people with disabilities the opportunity to pursue vocational secondary education (MBO-level training). Wan Okasi has also formed a new partnership with the Anton de Kom University of Suriname (AdeKUS), aimed at increasing enrollment of students with disabilities starting in the upcoming academic year.
Koendjbiharie also called for the establishment of a structured, regular consultation framework between the organization and the national government. He noted that Wan Okasi has grown dramatically in size, reach, and expertise over the past 15 years, and is fully prepared to enter a new phase of formal collaboration with state institutions. To advance this goal, the organization will submit a formal governance code with concrete policy proposals to the Simons administration in the coming period.
The 15th anniversary gathering brought together disability advocates, government officials, and community members to celebrate the progress that has been made, while reinforcing shared commitments to building a more inclusive Suriname for all.