Online Reporter
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]
A social inclusion programme targeting People With Disabilities (PWDs) has led to increased participation of affected women and youths from rural areas in Gwanda in community development initiatives and leadership roles.
The project, titled “Enhancing meaningful participation of women and youths with disabilities in community development initiatives/programs”, has also seen traditional and community leaders taking a leading role in promoting the inclusion of PWDs.
Speaking recently, during a citizen–duty bearer policy meeting in Gwanda South, Western Region Gender Network (SWRGN) programmes officer, Mr Methembe Sango, said community capacitation and sensitisation meetings had been conducted in three wards in Gwanda rural.
He said the involvement of PWDs aligns with President Mnangagwa’s philosophy of “leaving no one and no place behind”. Mr Sango said the programme complements Government efforts to promote inclusion of formerly marginalised groups.
“In Gwanda, we have been active in three wards, and we are also implementing the same programme in three wards in Matobo District as well. This programme seeks to promote involvement of women, youths and PWDs in general.
“In order for meaningful development in communities there is need for inclusivity and participation.
This also means that PWDS, youth and women should also be incorporated in development structures and committees at village and ward level as we can’t have development for them without them,” he said.
Mr Sango said the duty bearers’ meeting sought to identify policy gaps and the challenges communities face in including PWDs, youths and women, as well as exploring solutions.
He said it also provided a platform for community representatives to engage duty bearers and raise their concerns.
The project is being implemented by local disability based organisation Nkomwa Foundation Trust (NFT) in partnership with SWRGN and Souls Comfort Trust, with support from the European union and Diakonia.
The two year project, launched in January 2025, will run until June 2027.
Under legal aid outreaches, communities are educated on issues such as inheritances, access to documentation and marriage laws to ensure PWDs, youths and women are empowered.
Nkomwa Foundation Trust executive director, Mr Pick Nkomwa, said the organisation is working with various Government departments and agencies in implementing the project.
He said the intervention is expected to catalyse transformative change in community development, empowering rural communities and fostering inclusive growth.
“The programme has helped boost the confidence for persons with disabilities and brought awareness for the need for self-representation. The campaigns and dialogues conducted in communities have to a greater extent changed the mindset of community members towards persons with disabilities.
“Stigmatisation and discrimination slowly on reduction mode. Further during the year, we had noticed inclusion of PWDs in community development committees, which is a great step towards realising total inclusion.
Under the project we have reached out to PWDs, care givers, community leaders and the entire community,” he said.
Mr Nkomwa said a significant gap in the inclusion of PWDs still exists, especially in rural areas, adding that targeting women and youths is ideal as they form the majority of the population.
“We also want to foster an open dialogue for inclusive programming between persons with disabilities, community leadership and public service providers. There is need to promote inclusive decision-making, empowering marginalised groups to participate and influence community development.
“We want to strengthen inclusive governance and enhance accountability in public service delivery in Gwanda District by empowering marginalised groups, to actively participate in decision-making processes.”
Mr Nkomwa said PWDs, youths and women are being capacitated to ensure their meaningful participation. He said there is also a need to change the mindset among PWDs, some of whom do not fully recognise their potential and the significant role they play in community development.
Under the programme, PWDs will be equipped with knowledge and skills to enable effective, meaningful participation in development initiatives.
Mr Nkomwa said PWDs must desist from having a mindset of being apologetic or feeling inferior.
-@DubeMatutu
