Chronicle Editor
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]
THE Nkomwa Foundation Trust, a Matabeleland South-based disability organisation, has partnered with Government departments and the Legal Resources Foundation to promote social inclusion for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Gwanda District.
Their latest initiative, titled “Enhancing Meaningful Participation and Involvement of Persons with Disabilities in Community Development and Governance,” seeks to empower stakeholders with the knowledge necessary to support the active participation of PWDs in local communities.
Launched in November last year, the project is scheduled to conclude in October, marking nearly a year of focused efforts to address the challenges PWDs face in the district. During a recent engagement meeting in Gwanda, Mr Pick Nkomwa, director of Nkomwa Foundation Trust, highlighted the district’s ongoing struggle with PWD inclusion.
“Gwanda is still lagging when it comes to the participation of persons with disabilities. Our aim through these engagement meetings is to close the gap on disability issues,” he said.
“Many buildings in the district remain inaccessible to PWDs and there is a significant communication barrier due to the lack of sign language proficiency in institutions. Moreover, negative attitudes towards PWDs persist, further hindering their participation.”
Mr Nkomwa said discrimination remains a significant barrier to the involvement of PWDs.
“The use of derogatory language and lack of awareness are clear indicators that more needs to be done to educate and capacitate stakeholders,” he said.
The engagement meetings, which have been held in various urban and rural wards across Gwanda District, are targeting a diverse audience including PWDs, caregivers, Government departments, religious leaders, and community and traditional leadership.
These sessions provide a platform for stakeholders to interact directly with disability experts and address disability issues they might not fully understand.
In addition to engaging stakeholders, the project also focuses on empowering PWDs and disability champions.
“We are educating stakeholders on disability legal frameworks, such as the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) and the National Disability Policy. These frameworks guide what can be done to ensure the active participation of PWDs in community development and the law-making process,” explained Mr Nkomwa.
He said the project also serves as a critical platform for addressing safeguarding issues, particularly concerning sexual and gender-based violence against PWDs.
While the Government has made strides in promoting the inclusion and active participation of PWDs across various sectors, Mr Nkomwa noted that implementation by stakeholders remains a challenge.
He said as a disability-led community-based organisation, Nkomwa Foundation Trust continues its mission to create an inclusive society where PWDs can live a life of their choosing, informed by principles of equity, dignity and justice.
The organisation, which operates from Gwanda and is an affiliate member of the Federation of Organisation of Persons with Disabilities in Zimbabwe (FODPZ), is committed to fostering an inclusive ecosystem through support, empowerment and the mainstreaming of PWD rights, especially for children.
“We are dedicated to ensuring effective collaboration with Government departments, agencies, and the community at large,” said Mr Nkomwa. — @DubeMatutu
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