Online Reporter
Peter Tanyanyiwa
Herald Correspondent
Zimbabwe took a significant step forward in disability rights advocacy today with the launch of the Realisation of the Africa Disability Protocol (RAD-P) project implementation programme in Harare, marking a crucial start in the nation’s journey towards disability inclusion.
The launch, which was attended by Government officials and international partners, highlighted Zimbabwe’s commitment to mainstreaming disability rights across all sectors of national development under the Second Republic’s Vision 2030 agenda
In a speech read on her behalf by Mr Macnon Chirinzepi, the Special Advisor on Disability Issues in the Office of the President and Cabinet, Ms Rose Mpofu, said the implementation programme aims to shift focus from traditional approaches to disability rights.
“The Second Republic is walking the talk and fulfilling all its promises on disability empowerment through the NDS1 promulgation where disability is a cross-cutting issue on all the 14 pillars of the national development agenda,” she said.
“There is need for social transformation and complete change of mindset from the charity model and personal tragedy model towards embracing the participatory and people-centred social model and human rights model of disability,” said Ms Mpofu.
The acting director of Disability Affairs in the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, Mrs Laisa Chouromba, highlighted the legislative progress being made.
“Our process with disability (legislation) is before Parliament awaiting approval. This milestone sets a stepping stone to address the marginalisation and discrimination of persons with disabilities in the country,” she said in remarks delivered on her behalf by Ms Shamiso Kabayahwaro.
The European Union’s support for Zimbabwe’s disability inclusion efforts was acknowledged at the event.
EU Delegation to Zimbabwe Deputy Head of Mission Mrs Lourdes Chamorro applauded the Government for the steps taken in advancing the rights of persons with disabilities.
“We applaud the Government on the National Disability Policy launched in 2021 and very particularly for the early ratification of the African Disability Protocol,” she said.
Recent statistics indicate that approximately 9,3 percent of Zimbabwe’s population lives with disabilities, underlining the significance of this implementation programme.
The ADP, which came into force in June 2024, provides a comprehensive legal framework for protecting and promoting disability rights across Africa.
The launch event also served as a platform to announce the upcoming Zimbabwe National Disability Expo 2025, scheduled to take place in Victoria Falls in June. The expo aims to showcase the capabilities of persons with disabilities in an inclusive Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe’s National Disability Policy operates within the framework of the National Development Strategy 1 (2021-2025), emphasising the Government’s commitment to ensuring that “no person and no place is left behind” in national development efforts.
Bongani Ndlovu