Vusumuzi Dube
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, Sunday News Reporter
WOMEN and youths with disabilities in both rural and urban parts of Gwanda District are set to benefit from a new empowerment initiative aimed at promoting their active inclusion in community development and leadership structures.
The project, “Enhancing Meaningful Participation of Women and Youths with Disabilities in Community Development,” is being implemented by Nkomwa Foundation Trust in partnership with Hivos and funded by the European Union.
The project seeks to address long-standing marginalisation of persons with disabilities by ensuring their involvement in local decision-making processes, service delivery monitoring and development initiatives.
As part of the initiative, community capacitation and sensitisation meetings are being rolled out, targeting traditional leaders, local authorities and service providers. The goal is to shift societal attitudes, promote inclusive governance and foster accountability in public service delivery.
Nkomwa Foundation Trust executive director, Mr Pick Nkomwa said the programme will catalyse inclusive growth by engaging traditional leaders, service providers and the community to promote participation and accountability.
He noted that there is still a huge gap in the inclusion of people living with disabilities (PWDs), especially in rural areas.
“There remains a wide gap in the inclusion of persons with disabilities, especially in rural areas. Our goal is to empower women and youths, who form the majority, to actively influence development outcomes,” said Mr Nkomwa.
“Our main aim is to increase the active involvement of women, youth and in general persons with disabilities in community development initiatives at local and district levels so that their participation can produce good outcomes in community development.”
Mr Nkomwa said inclusive decision-making is key to achieving Vision 2030 and SDG 11, ensuring no one is left behind.
The project includes capacitation and mindset-change sessions to help PWDs overcome feelings of inferiority and realise their potential as equal contributors to community development.
Mr Nkomwa said their ultimate goal is to see PWDs participate meaningfully, shape decisions and demand accountability in service delivery.
“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 will be empowered with knowledge and skills to effectively and meaningfully participate in community development initiatives and programmes. —@DubeMatutu
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