Online Reporter
Nyore Madzianike
Senior Reporter
GOVERNMENT has reaffirmed its commitment to creating an enabling environment in which people living with disabilities can fully participate in national development.
Giving remarks at a fundraising event which was dedicated to Albinism in Action for ED held at Zanu PF Headquarters in Harare yesterday, Vice President Dr Kembo Mohadi said Government would continue strengthening programmes that address specific challenges faced by persons with albinism, including access to appropriate healthcare and protection from discrimination and abuse.
The Vice President said, of particular importance, was the need for early intervention and support for children with albinism.
He urged parents, teachers, communities and health professionals to work together to ensure that children with albinism receive the support necessary to succeed in school and in life.
“We must also ensure that public institutions become more responsive to the needs of persons with disabilities. In this regard, Government alone cannot achieve everything.
“The successful empowerment of persons with albinism requires a whole-of-society approach, involving Government, the private sector, traditional and religious leaders, communities, development partners and organisations representing persons with albinism,” he said.
The Vice President challenged the business community to go beyond donations and create partnerships that create lasting economic opportunities.
He said businesses can provide mentorship, internships, apprenticeships, financing, market access and employment opportunities and urged companies to deliberately include businesses owned by persons with albinism within their supply chains.
“In other words, let us move from charity to empowerment, from dependency to enterprise, and from exclusion to participation. That is how we build sustainable development.”
The Vice President said, as the ruling party-ZANU PF, they have a historic responsibility to remain connected to the needs of ordinary Zimbabweans.
He said Zanu PF’s commitment to inclusivity must translate into practical programmes that empower vulnerable and marginalised groups to participate meaningfully in the country’s political, social and economic development.
“Our structures must, therefore, continue identifying challenges affecting persons with disabilities and ensuring that these concerns find expression within our development programmes and policy frameworks.
The Vice President bemoaned misconceptions, stigma and discrimination against people with albinism, saying such attitudes can deny individuals access to education, employment, health services, social opportunities and meaningful participation in economic life.
He urged the nation to confront such misconceptions through education, awareness and decisive action.
The VP encouraged the private sector, financial institutions, development partners and civil society organisations to play a role in facilitating access to education and vocational training, entrepreneurship and business development; affordable financing, markets and procurement opportunities, employment and professional advancement, appropriate assistive and protective resources, health services and social protection programmes.
Young Generations for ED donated 10 wheelchairs, while BoysDzaMudhara pledged regalia and Cde Jimayi Muduvuri offered free medical services to people with albinism at Muduvuri Referral Hospital.
Government pledged free sunscreen through the University of Zimbabwe.
