Zim government dedicated to promote rights of people with disabilities
By Dumisani Ndlovu
Director of Disability Affairs in the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, Doctor Christine Peta said the Zimbabwe government recognises that participation of persons with disabilities in all facets of life is a core human right and a basic condition of democratic societies.
Dr Peta made these sentiments on Wednesday while officially launching the Equal Zimbabwe campaign in the capital.
The campaign aims to promote the inclusion of persons with disabilities in society and eliminate barriers towards the full enjoyment of their rights.
Peta said in line with the United Nations Convention on the rights of persons with disabilities, the Zimbabwe government upholds the principle of aiding meaningful participation of persons with disabilities in all facets of life, including legislative processes.
“We are therefore grateful to Sightsavers for their support in organising this Equal Zimbabwe platform whose impact seeks to raise awareness among persons with disabilities about the need for them to actively and meaningfully participate in legislative making processes,” she said.
She noted the crafting of the Persons with Disabilities Bill which is now at Parliament for further processes as one good example of the commitment exhibited by the second republic. This also includes the much-awaited Parliamentary consultations for the draft Bill.”
She urged all organisations representing people with disabilities to work with her department, which oversees the national disability agenda.
“This will ensure active and meaningful participation of all organisations of persons with disabilities in their diversity, including those that are in remote rural areas so that no one and no place is left behind,”she said.
Speaking at the same occasion, Sightsavers Zimbabwe regional director Peter Bare echoed similar sentiments, commended government efforts of continually making significant progress in recognising the rights of people with disabilities.
Bare said the country’s Constitution also identifies disability issues as a national priority.
He described the launch of the National Disability Policy by President Emmerson Mnangagwa in 2021 as a milestone, as it was the first ever policy on disability in the country.
The policy seeks to address the oppression, marginalisation and discrimination that persons with disabilities experience in order to improve their standards of living and of their families.
“Sightsavers Zimbabwe consulted with disability organisations through their umbrella bodies, they all unanimously agreed that this Equal Zimbabwe Campaign should support his Excellency’s call for Parliament to expedite the passing of the Persons with Disabilities Bill into law,” said Bare
