In a statement, to which VerAngola had access, the Presidency of the Republic reveals that the presidential couple's morning was "different", having left the work office and shared "humanism and empathy".
"The presidential couple were at the Science Center in Luanda this Wednesday and spent hours immersed themselves in the emotions caused by Autism Day. The President of the Republic and the First Lady joined the cause that is increasingly mobilizing solidarity and understanding around the world, in the same proportion that science and knowledge are strengthened in the understanding of the phenomenon of Autism, which, according to statistics from the World Health Organization (WHO), affects one in every 160 children", reads the statement.
During this interaction with the children, the head of state appeared relaxed, having let two children paint his face.
"João Lourenço, in a very relaxed atmosphere, let himself be painted by two children with different levels of autism spectrum disorder (a boy and a girl), talked to both of them and recorded the moment in memorable photographs", says the note.
In addition, the presidential couple, as well as other guests, watched the film 'Íris – O Mergulho no Mundo dos Autistas' in the cinema room of the aforementioned center, "which captures family dramas surrounding this health challenge that is more present in society than perhaps imagined".
Maria do Rosário Bragança calls for greater inclusion of people with autism spectrum disorder
The Minister of State for Social Affairs, Maria do Rosário Bragança, also did not let the date go by unnoticed, having called for the "union of all sectors of society to ensure that people with autism have the necessary conditions to develop their maximum potential, being genuinely and fully integrated into all areas of social life".
Speaking at the opening of the workshop on Autism Spectrum Disorder, held on Tuesday at the Bengo Provincial Hospital 'Reverendo Guilherme Pereira Inglês', the minister highlighted the "importance of unity, as active members of society, to promote effective social inclusion, guarantee universal access to quality specialized services and ensure unconditional respect for the dignity of people with autism".
According to a government statement, to which VerAngola had access, the workshop was part of the national day in honor of World Autism Awareness Day and brought together specialists, educators, representatives from the health, education and social action sectors, as well as associations and family members of people with autism.
"In this national event, in addition to other initiatives, we will carry out various recreational activities to include children with autism spectrum disorder and their families", said the minister, who, quoted in the note, added that the "primary objective of the workshop" is to "promote a space to raise awareness among the population about autism spectrum disorder in Angola, identify the progress achieved, the obstacles encountered and the best practices in the care and monitoring of people with autism".
On that occasion, Maria do Rosário Bragança "recognized the increase in the number of diagnosed cases of autism in Angola and considered it necessary to carry out careful studies to assess the prevalence of the condition in the country".
The governor further explained that "autism spectrum disorder is a condition that is classified as a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects millions of people around the world, manifesting itself early in life through deficient social interaction and communication, stereotyped and repetitive patterns in behavior and irregular intellectual development."
"For the Minister of State, awareness about autism must be permanent and not limited to the event, and reinforce the collective commitment to guarantee the full inclusion of people with this condition", says the note.
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