INDUSTRY and Commerce Deputy Minister Raji Modi has said the Government is determined to uplift the lives of people living with disabilities (PWDs) through implementing various developmental programmes.
In a speech read on his behalf by Mrs Mary Chingonzo, a deputy director in the ministry during the International Day of Persons with Disabilities commemorations in Bulawayo yesterday, Deputy Minister Modi said there are many opportunities being availed by the Government to empower people living with disabilities.
“The Government is dedicated to undertake efforts aimed at exercising sensitivity to disability through inclusion of persons with disabilities in all developmental plans. Our commitment towards mainstreaming disability are evident in the fields of inclusive education, physical rehabilitation and vocational training,” he said.
Deputy Minister Modi said the programmes were meant to ensure persons with disabilities become more independent and enjoy the highest quality of life.
“In this regard, we ensure that our policies and programme designs are inclusive, equitable and non –discriminatory,” he said.
Deputy Minister Modi said Government commitment is further shown by the appointment of the national technical committee on the implementation of the National Disability Policy by the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare in July this year.
The appointment of the committee follows the launch of the National Disability Policy by President Mnangagwa in June last year.
“The National Disability Policy seeks to address the preconditions that are essential for the effective implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which
Zimbabwe ratified in September 2013,” said Deputy Minister Modi.
He said the national technical committee will provide overall guidance towards the implementation of the policy.
“A mammoth task lies ahead of us in ensuring inclusion of persons with disabilities in digital society and their participation on an equal basis with others”, said Deputy Minister Modi.
He said the National Developmental Strategy 1 (NDS1) acknowledges disability as a cross cutting issue.
Deputy Minister Modi said the Government and stakeholders in the disability sector must hold themselves accountable for the commitments made towards mainstreaming disability in all dimensions of development and to sustain the momentum.
“This day should aptly facilitate the strengthening of unity, of not only persons with disabilities, but also unity among persons without disabilities and persons with disabilities the world over because together we can move mountains,” said Deputy Minister Modi.
He said there is global consensus that advocacy efforts need to be intensified with the rights of persons living with disabilities mainstreamed at national level.
“Every one of us is destined to play a vital role in the implementation of plans to include disability in all national development plans. We should continue to challenge ourselves to implement relevant initiatives to improve the lives of people living with disabilities,” said Deputy Minister Modi.
Speaking during the same event, acting provincial social development officer Mrs Sithandazile Bhebhe said people with disabilities have less exposure to employment opportunities due to lack of education.
She said a research undertaken shows that the majority of people with disabilities are not educated due to being neglected at home as a result of lack of special schools.
“It is important to also include people with disabilities in the formal or informal sector because we have vocational training centres that can also train people living with disabilities,” said Mrs Bhebhe.
She said everyone must have equal access to opportunities despite their condition.
Mrs Bhebhe said parents of children living with disabilities must take advantage of special schools such as King George VI and Sibantubanye.
The International Day of Persons with Disabilities is commemorated annually on December 3 to promote the rights and wellbeing of persons living with disabilities.
This year, the commemorations were held under the theme: Transformative Solutions for inclusive Development: The role of innovation in fuelling an accessible and equitable world. – The Chronicle
