World Population Day aims to increase awareness of various population issues, including reproductive rights, gender equality, poverty, maternal health and human rights, in line with SDGs 3, 4, 8, 10 and 11.
The day is also a chance to amplify the voices of minoritised populations who might be overlooked in discussions around sustainability. By raising awareness of these communities, we can make sure we uphold their rights and needs, so we can build a sustainable world for everyone, everywhere.
This year, World Wide Generation is spotlighting people living with disabilities. Accounting for 15% of the global population, they are the world’s largest minority group. (WHO). Through medical advances, the ageing process and population growth, this estimated figure of 1 billion is increasing.
This photo-series spotlights three individuals living with disabilities in India. Amer Hussain Lone, Anju Rani Joy and Kilumo Ezung have been photographed by Vicky Roy as part of the Everyone is Good at Something project, started by the India Inclusion Foundation. The simple portraits provide a platform to share their stories, resilience and unique perspectives.
As we focus on reducing inequalities in our societies - and between countries - it’s crucial that we meet the individual rights of people with disabilities.
Above all, people who have disabilities should be celebrated and valued for who they are.
Amer Hussain Lone, Kashmir
The 31-year-old from Kashmir is a state-level cricketer who bats and bowls with his feet. Amer lost both his arms in an accident at his father’s factory when he was eight. Amer’s father was told he should be left to die, as medical expenses wore the family down. Despite these challenges, he learned to live independently without arms, and became able to perform all daily activities with his legs. Teachers also tried to dissuade Amer from attending school, but by persevering with his studies, Amer was spotted and recommended to try out for the para cricket team. Amer bowls with his right foot and bats with the willow gripped between his neck and shoulder. He dreams of playing para-cricket at the international level.
Anju Rani Joy, Kerala
Anju Rani Joy is 32, a wheelchair user with paraplegia, and has acted in two mainstream Malayalam films. In the most recent, Insha (2021) Anju plays the titular role of the 13 year-old who dreams of seeing the ocean. Anju was born with a club foot and spinal cord injury, and growing up, was carried to school by her father, the hilly district’s terrain making it impossible to use a wheelchair. Her degree in sociology was completed through distance-learning. Aside from acting and occasionally modelling, Anju prides herself on her craft skills, making jewellery with terracotta, papier mache and beads. She emphasises the important role her family have played in her achievements so far, and says none of it would be possible without them.
Kilumo Ezung, Nagaland
Kilumo Ezung is a 34-year old Indian Sign Language Teacher, who lost his hearing when he was one year old and a boil inside his ear burst. At three, his parents were referred to a local speech specialist in Guwahati, and had to rent an apartment there for two years so he could have speech therapy. Although he can partly enunciate his native language, Lotha, Kilumo mainly communicates in Indian Sign Language. He has a diploma in teaching ISL, and before the pandemic, taught a mixed group including deaf children, parents of deaf children, and special educators. One personal highlight was playing football alongside the well-known goalie Subrato Pal in the Special Olympic Nagaland team of four deaf and seven hearing players. Outside of teaching, Kilumo also loves to travel with friends, and fixing up and riding his motorbike. When interviewed for ‘Everyone is Good at Something’, his message for readers was ‘do not hate, but love’.
This photo-series is in support of World Population Day, and the SDGs that call for the active inclusion of disabled people across their aims; ensuring quality education, sustainable communities, decent employment, good health and reduced inequalities worldwide.