Celebrating White Cane Day 2025: Honoring Independence, Resilience, and the Rights of the Blind in Rwanda

Kigali, Rwanda –The theme for the 2025 commemoration is “Vision Beyond Sight: Celebrating Independence, Resilience, and Recognizing the Achievements of the Blind.”

Each year on October 15, the world celebrates the significance of the white cane.

The cane is more than just a mobility aid for the blind; it is a symbol of perseverance, determination, dignity, and the right to live without limitations. It also serves as a visual indicator of a person’s visual impairment. As the world advances socially and technologically, the white cane continues to demonstrate its uniqueness and power—reminding us that individuals with visual impairments are active contributors to all aspects of society. It highlights the identity of people with visual impairments and plays a vital role in advocating for their rights.

The white cane represents more than self-reliance; it signifies that blind people are part of the broader human family. It reminds us that they deserve respect and equal opportunities.

Santosh Kumar Rungta, President of the World Blind Union, stated: “On this White Cane Day, we celebrate and reflect on the strength and uniqueness of blind people. It is a time to reaffirm our commitment to building a world that respects and values diversity.”

In Rwanda, the Rwandan Union of the Blind (RUB) continues to advocate for inclusion, emphasizing the importance of celebrating the White Cane. Despite progress, many challenges remain. For example, infrastructure issues such as uncovered water channels and drains pose significant risks to blind persons, leading to accidents, injuries, or even fatalities. Additionally, stigma from some family members, service providers, and community members, as well as gaps in support and rehabilitation services, hinder personal development and social integration for persons with visual impairments.

Despite these obstacles, the white cane remains a symbol of independence, dignity, and effective use of intellect. Jacques Mugisha, Executive Director of RUB, said: “To live well without sight, we must rely on our brains and heart. Success requires effort.”

He added: “Obstacles exist, especially from those who do not understand us, but we must continue to showcase our abilities. Eventually, they will see that we see beyond our eyes.”

Mugisha emphasized the importance of making white canes accessible and recognized worldwide, asserting that ensuring this right is essential for all.

As Rwanda marks the 17th anniversary of White Cane Day, RUB calls on government institutions, the private sector, and NGOs to demonstrate political will and focus on the following priorities:

1. Ensure infrastructure, especially water channels and drainage systems, are covered.
2. Continually develop technology to support people with disabilities, particularly the blind.
3. Improve and promote guidelines for building and maintaining accessible websites for government, private sector, and NGOs, facilitating access for assistive technology users.
4. Establish effective mechanisms for providing white canes, enhance the capacity of the RUB Resource center to train the blind in cane use, and support activities that aid rehabilitation.

This year, Rwanda’s celebration of International White Cane Day will take place on November 7, 2025, in Huye District, Southern Province. The festivities will include a week of activities such as media campaigns, discussions with various institutions, community engagement, distribution of 100 white canes to the blind, and ongoing awareness campaigns.

Contact:

Mugisha jacques

info@rubrwanda.rw

Executive Director of the Rwandan Union of the Blind (RUB)