The Windhoek Central Seventh-day Adventist Church is calling for greater inclusion, accessibility and equal opportunities for persons with disabilities.
The church says disability should not prevent people from participating in society, taking up leadership roles or pursuing personal development.
The call was made during its Disability Day commemoration, held under the theme "God loves you, and all things are possible through God."
In a statement delivered on behalf of Vice President Lucia Witbooi by her Special Advisor, Engelberta Kisting, the government reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the rights of persons with disabilities and promoting their participation in national development.
Witbooi also commended the church's Possibility Ministry for promoting dignity, acceptance and inclusion.
The ministry supports not only persons with physical disabilities but also those with visual and hearing impairments, mental health conditions and albinism, as well as orphans, vulnerable children and widows.
"May this commemoration renew our collective commitment to building a Namibia where no one is left behind, where abilities are celebrated, differences are respected and every person is afforded equal opportunities to live with dignity and purpose."
Speaking at the event, Windhoek Central Seventh-day Adventist Church Elder Chrispin Matengu, who has a disability, recalled how the church gave him a sense of belonging at a time when persons with disabilities often faced social isolation and exclusion.
"It is very, very important for the church to accommodate this group of people. It's not only people with disabilities but also people with albinism, people with impaired vision and impaired speech, and even widows and widowers and orphans. So it is very critical that these people who are sometimes forgotten by our society, the church must take a helping hand to accommodate and to bring them also at the feet of Christ. Because in Christ, the ground is level."
Matengu also called on churches to improve physical accessibility by providing suitable infrastructure, including accessible toilets and facilities that support mobility.
Joy Pack, a learner at the School for the Visually Impaired, shared her experiences of living with albinism, including the stigma, hurtful remarks and misconceptions she has encountered.
"I would like to speak to parents and families who are afraid to expose their children with disabilities to society. Please do not hide them or keep them away from others. Allow them to attend school, participate in church, play with others and take part in community activities. Children with disabilities have talents, dreams and purpose. They need support, acceptance and equal opportunities to grow. Let us educate our communities and challenge harmful beliefs."
The commemoration highlighted the role of government, churches, families and communities in addressing discrimination, removing barriers and promoting the participation of persons with disabilities in society.