The Sunday News
Judith Phiri, Sunday News Reporter
THE Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare together with the Office of the Special Advisor to the President on Disability issues are working on finalising drafting the National Disability Policy that will improve the welfare of people living with disabilities.
Speaking on behalf of Bulawayo Provincial Affairs Minister Cde Judith Ncube at the provincial commemoration of the International Day for Persons with Disabilities held in the city yesterday, Reigate District Administrator, Mrs Elisa Chauke said the Government was working on a policy that would cater for those living with disabilities.
“The policy has great potential to bring positive change in the lives of persons with disabilities and they will be given a chance to express their recommendations and contributions which will be introduced in the final document. The Government is confident on achieving a positive outcome in 2019 on this important issue. There is an urgent need to increase efforts towards the promotion of inclusion of disability rights in the Sustainable Development Goals,” she said.
She added under the new dispensation, Government was doing all it can to cater for everyone in the country including persons with disability.
“A separate department of disability affairs was recently created within the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare to handle disability issues.”
Senator representing people with disabilities in Zimbabwe, Watson Khupe said the Government should also consider recruiting persons with disabilities.
“Many graduates with disability were not recruited when teachers were recruited. This should be looked into so that Government makes sure that they are also employed like others so that they can also sustain themselves. Let us work together so that we rise together,” said Senator Khupe.
Vice-chairperson of National Disability Board Mr Edward Mundanga said one of the challenges persons with disability were facing was transport.
“Government should also consider assisting us with cars because most of our board members are on wheel chairs so when travelling to other cities for meetings we have to carry them into the public transport which reduces their esteem,” said Mr Mundanga.
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