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Precious Manomano

Herald Reporter

Several positive strides have been made by the Government towards creating an inclusive society that recognises the rights of people with disabilities, including opening up opportunities for them in empowerment programmes.

Recently, the Technical National Coordination Committee for the implementation of the National Disability Policy was launched, to address the preconditions necessary for the effective implementation of the United Nations Convention of the rights of persons with disabilities in 2013.

The Technical National Coordination Committee will provide overall guidance to the implementation of the National Disability Policy, which was launched in June last year by President Mnangagwa.

The National Disability Policy came at a time when Zimbabweans are collectively moving towards achieving the national vision of an empowered and prosperous upper middle income society by 2030.

The Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, in partnership with the United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office, and the United Nations Partnership on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNPRD) team, which is led by the Unesco Regional Office for Southern Africa, facilitated the formation of the Technical National Coordination Committee.

Zimbabwe has adopted a raft of measures to advance the rights of people with disabilities since the ratification of the convention.

Speaking during the launch of the of Technical National Coordination Committee, Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister, Professor Paul Mavima, said Government was committed to fulfilling, promoting, protecting and respecting the rights of persons with disabilities.

“Today’s event marks an important step towards translating the provisions of the policy from paper to tangible and measurable actions that will make a positive difference in the lives of persons with disabilities and their families,” he said.

“This approach enables the Government to create an enabling environment under which the needs and concerns of persons with disabilities are addressed in every sector, and across all thematic working programmes of the National Development Strategy 1: (NDS1), 2021-2025, in which disability is clearly acknowledged as a cross-cutting, interdisciplinary issue.”

Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Harare Metropolitan Province, Oliver Chidawu, said the launch of the committee was a huge step taken by Government to incorporate people with disabilities.

He said on June 9 last year, President Mnangagwa called for an end to harmful practices and marginalisation of people with disabilities, and the launch of the Committee was another step among the various measures being taken by the Government to ensure no one and no place will be left behind.

“We are calling upon local authorities to enforce structural renovations and adjusting the existing buildings to accommodate people with disabilities,” said Minister Chidawu.

In a speech read on his behalf, advisor to the President and Cabinet on Disability issues, Dr Joshua Malinga, said the committee would ensure Zimbabwe realises Vision 2030 of a prosperous upper middle income economy.

He said the policy sought to remove physical, structural, cultural and other barriers in communities.

“This launch calls to empower people with disabilities advocating for their rights in line with international standards at best practices,” said Dr Malinga.

“It is important to note that the President has launched the national disability policy in year 2021 which seeks to domesticate the United Nations conventions on the rights of persons with disabilities and fully empower them, this showed the political will the Government has towards the empowerment and inclusion of people with disabilities.”

United Nations Resident Coordinator Mr Edward Kallon said the launch of the technical National Disability Policy marked the milestone and facilitate the operationalisation of the National Disability Policy and move forward the agenda of the inclusion of rights of the persons with disabilities.

“l am pleased to note that Zimbabwe has prioritised disability inclusion,” he said.

“The UN corporation framework provides specific disability rights interventions necessary for advancing the conventions on the rights of persons with disabilities.”