The world loses an empowerment model: DPI mourns Rachel Kachaje
By DPI-Japan and DPI regional leaders
We are deeply saddened by the news that Ms Rachel Kachaje, DPI World Chairperson, has passed away. She was one of the most distinguished leaders of the world disability movement, enthusiastically committed to the realisation of the rights of persons with disabilities and to the full implementation of the CRPD. In Malawi she was appointed Minister for Disability and Elderly Affairs in 2013, and she guided the country in developing disability policy and improving the lives of persons with disabilities.
She had a close relationship with DPI-Japan, taking part in the 6th DPI World Assembly in Sapporo in 2002 and a JICA training course organised by DPI-Japan in 2003, sharing knowledge and experience of disability movements in southern Africa. In 2016, after being elected DPI World Chairperson, she warmly welcomed delegates at the DPI World Assembly in Cairo, Egypt. May her soul rest in peace.
— Midori Hirano, Chairperson, Disabled Peoples’ International Japan Assembly (DPI-Japan)
We express our deep condolences to Rachel Kachaje and her family. Rachel was a great world DPI chair for more than ten years. We worked together to make the CRPD at UN headquarters in New York.
— Shoji Nakanishi, DPI Asia-Pacific Chair
Dear Rachel, you worried about me a few weeks ago; you were concerned about my silence, and now we have to get used to yours. You asked me to take action and to overcome the new barriers built to contain the world pandemic; you pleaded for us to fulfil the mission our members have entrusted to us, to continue to work for the unity of the movement and to maintain the flame that DPI has ignited, to pass it on to future generations. You were there, with us and for all of us.
— Jean-Luc Simon, DPI Europe Chairperson
Rachel Kamchacha Kachaje’s life was one of advocating and promoting human rights for persons with disabilities. She lived firmly in the present, fighting for the future, and made a special contribution to the implementation of the UN Standard Rules, the CRPD and the SDGs in many countries.
— Marica Mirić, SOIH, Croatia
