ZCSD bemoans exclusion of disabled citizens
WE are concerned with the exclusion of citizens with disabilities from social, economic and political opportunities despite having well documented policies in the country, the Zambia Council for Social Development (ZCSD) has observed.
The ZCSD says despite the existence of policies such as the Zambia National Disability Policy which seeks to improve the welfare of persons living with disabilities, these citizens are excluded from social, economic and political opportunities.
ZCSD executive director Lewis Mwape said lack of access to education was one of the greatest barriers to the economic, social and political participation of persons with disabilities.
He said they were side-lined by employers and appointing authorities due to lack of attainment of the necessary skills and competencies to perform the required duties.
Mr. Mwape said the existing infrastructure had “sentenced” many citizens living with disabilities to “life imprisonment of ignorance, poverty and marginalisation” with rural communities being the worst hit as they were further affected by negative cultural practices and ended up as rejects in society.
“All this is happening despite having well documented policies such as the Zambia National Disability Policy which is supported by Disability Act which seeks to improve the welfare of persons living with disabilities.
“Zambia is also party to the United Nations Conversion on Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRDP) which outlines the human rights of persons with disabilities,” Mr. Mwape said.
He noted that the local and international interventions towards ending inequalities against people with disabilities had unfortunately not helped the country in improving the welfare of such people.
He urged Government to come up with new strategies that would enhance the rights and quality of life of the physically challenged.
“ZCSD therefore calls on Government to rethink on strategies that would capture all citizens who are being discriminated on the basis of disability by investing in infrastructure and other facilities including human resources. This will ensure that citizens with disabilities acquire quality education from nursery to tertiary levels.