Chronicle Editor
Johnsias Mutonhori, Midlands Correspondent
NEWLY elected president of the National Council of Disabled Persons of Zimbabwe (NCDPZ), Senator Anna Shiri has applauded the Government for crafting policies and creating avenues that allow people with disabilities to participate in the country’s economic activities.
Sen Shiri was recently elected president of NCDPZ, a position she held in an acting capacity since 2021 after the passing on of then president Mrs Farai Chirera. She also served as the senator representing people living with disability in Parliament from 2013 to 2018.
In her remarks subsequent to her election, Sen Shiri said the Government policies centred on the rights of people living with disability opened doors for them to participate in the development of the country.
“I am glad that we have a disability policy in place and we will continue to lobby for the full implementation of guidelines in the policy so that everyone can become an economic participant. We appreciate President Mnangagwa for his unwavering support and walking the talk through his mantra of leaving no one and no place behind which also speaks to the disability sector,” she said.
Zimbabwe has a significant number of people living with disabilities estimated at 1,4 million. In 2013, Zimbabwe became one of the few countries that ratified the United Nations convention on the rights of people living with disabilities followed by the launch of the National Disability Policy by President Mnangagwa in June 2021.
Sen Shiri said the disability constituency consists of various people with various capabilities that can contribute meaningfully towards the attainment of Vision 2030.
“I promise that I will continue to advocate for inclusion of persons with disabilities in all national development processes. Among us, there are a lot of people with amazing talents, gifts and qualifications that can be useful towards our national development goal. So, these people need space and support in all sectors. They must be given a chance so that they can also become economic participants,” she said.
NCDPZ is a cross-disability membership organisation whose primary objective is to ensure inclusion and self-representation of persons with disabilities in all development processes. It was formed in 1975 as an advocacy group for equal rights in the society.
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