adminProsper Ndlovu Senior Reporter
PEOPLE living with disability yesterday attacked religious organisations accusing them of perpetuating negative stereotypes that fuel stigma and discrimination on their members.Debating on societal attitudes on people living with disabilities during a disability rights workshop at a Bulawayo hotel, the participants complained that churches were treating them as objects.
Disability activist and lawyer Mr Abraham Mateta who leads the National League of the Blind, torched the storm when he said people living with disability felt uncomfortable in attending certain churches where they are reduced to second class citizens.
“Disabled people have tended to withdraw from attending some churches because they are angry over the treatment given to them there. You find these churches campaigning using us. They will be calling on people to bring the blind, the lame and the deaf and so on,” said Mr Mateta.
“I think there is a need to seriously engage these churches and religious institutions and teach them about disability issues.”
The deputy chairperson of the National Disability Board, Mrs Florence Mokwena, weighed in saying the media was equally guilty as it offered the platform for churches to demonise their members through adverts.
“The churches should not use the media as a bait to lure people through such negative publicity about disabled people. The media also should take deliberate steps to block such advertising,” she said.
Disability consultant and activist Cde Joshua Malinga said churches should help promote positive attitudes about disability and not vice versa.
“Jesus did not come to heal disabled people but he came to deal with sinners and connect them to God. This gospel of healing the disabled is nonsense,” said Cde Malinga, the former mayor of Bulawayo and Zanu-PF Politburo member.
“If these churches are genuine why we are not seeing one person they claim to have healed? It is always people who feign disability and sit on a wheel chair.
“Disability is diversity. It is a difference that we need to celebrate because first and foremost we are human beings.”
The participants also complained that people living with disability were not given equal opportunity in employment in both the public and private sector.
They called for the amendment of the labour regulations to ensure that the law fully protects their rights.
Disability activist Mr Obadiah Moyo then challenged fellow participants to be proactive in taking advantage of the opportunities in the economic environment to make business.
He also urged the media to depict positive images about the capabilities of people living with disability.
Activist and radio producer and presenter Miss Soneni Gwizi said people living with disability were entitled to live normal lives like their able-bodied counterparts.
Other participants complained that they were not fully represented in Government and complained that the two Senate seats were not enough.
They said they did not want to be treated as a charity group and urged the Government to fully protect their rights and avail funding for their empowerment so that they become self sufficient.
The participants urged their members to unite and lobby for their rights as a collective unit. The workshop was organised by the Midlands State University (MSU) Faculty of Law in conjunction with the National Disability Board and other partners.
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