• HH must include persons with disabilities among his appointments to serve as nominated Members of Parliament.
• people with disabilities are mostly left out in Governance matters
• New Government must prioritize building of consensus around the constitution to allow for an electoral system.
Zambia Federation of Disability (ZAFOD) has advised President Hakainde Hichilema to consider including persons with disabilities among his appointments, who are suitably qualified to serve as nominated Members of Parliament.
Speaking at a media briefing, Organization Vice President Paul Mbewe said people with disabilities are mostly left out in Governance matters, hence the need to include them.
Mr. Mbewe noted that President Hichilema’s inaugural speech is inspiring especially on the pledge to run a more inclusive Government.
“Our country is a signatory to United Nations Convention on the Rights of persons with disabilities (UNCRPD), which was domesticated under the disability act NO. 6 of 2012.Over the years, several pronouncements have been made by successive governments claiming to commit themselves to the disability course and yet to date no meaningful change has been realized,” he said.
He said it is for this reason that ZAFOD hopes that the UPND Government will facilitate the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of persons with disabilities through the disability act number 6 of 2012.
And speaking at the same event, Disability Rights Watch Vice Chairperson Grace Nkhuwa emphasized the need for the new Government to prioritize building of consensus around the constitution to allow for an electoral system that will affirmatively provide for effective self- representation of persons with disabilities.
Mrs. Nkhuwa appealed to political parties to ensure inclusivity in their party structures, manifestos and adoptions of candidates.
“The media must also play a pivotal role in raising awareness on the rights and special needs of persons with disabilities as disability is not inability, “she said
