Esther urges support for persons with disabilities

FIRST Lady Esther Lungu has called for the inclusion of persons with disabilities in the implementation of livelihood and empowerment initiatives meant to improve their quality of life.

Mrs Lungu said there was need for African countries and organisations dealing with persons with disabilities to review the existing livelihood initiatives.

She was speaking at the Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR) Conference in Lusaka yesterday

“If we have to built resilience among our nations and at the same time leave no one behind, we are then duty bound to ensure that persons with disabilities are involved in the implementation of livelihood and empowerment initiatives.

“In order for individuals, families and communities to manage challenges of life and be empowered to live independent and decent lives they need livelihood initiatives at their disposal,” she said.

Mrs Lungu also urged countries and organisations to come up with ways of building capacity to handle disability issues.

She noted that communitybased inclusion development training and education was key to the disability sector.

“I interact with various vulnerable people and I have noted the need for capacity especially when it comes to dealing with children that have disabilities. In this time and era, we do not expect parents to be stowing away disabled children.

“It is a sad state of affairs because children cannot speak for themselves and they cannot act for themselves. It is only when these children are exposed to services available that they will receive help and that is when these children will be guaranteed a meaningful future,” Mrs Lungu said.

Meanwhile, the First Lady has pledged not to relent in advocating for persons with disabilities.

“Disability matters are very close to my heart. It is my passion to see that persons with disabilities not only in Zambia but world over attain their full potential in life and are able to contribute effectively to their own development and that of their respective nations.

“I will continue to implement programmes together with stakeholders and , will continue to fight until we change the narrative of the disability agenda to one that makes Africa proud,” she said.

And Community Development and Social Services Minister Emerine Kabanshi commended the First Lady for her commitment in uplifting the livelihood of persons with disabilities.

She said Zambia was making strides in terms of inclusion of persons with disabilities thorough various programmes and policies.