It is great to hear that a civil society coalition has launched the ‘Equal Zimbabwe’ campaign, calling for new legislation to guarantee the inclusion of people with disabilities (PWDs) in the country.

Development Diaries reports that more than 20 disability organisations from across the country launched the ‘Equal Zimbabwe’ national disability rights campaign in Harare on Wednesday.

We understand that the campaign, which is coordinated by Sightsavers Zimbabwe, is calling on policymakers to create new legislation that will guarantee disability rights.

The key demand is clear: the Disabled Persons Act of 1992 must be repealed and a new Persons with Disabilities Act adopted.

PWDs in Zimbabwe have continued to encounter numerous challenges that impede their access to basic rights and opportunities, despite legislation and policy frameworks in place.

It is worrisome to learn that there are more than 1.4 million people with disabilities in the country.

‘People with disabilities in Zimbabwe have been treated as second-class citizens for too long. This is why we are coming together to demand our rights and create a truly equal Zimbabwe’, Chairperson of the Equal Zimbabwe Steering Committee, Leonard Marange, said.

Due to outdated laws and discriminatory attitudes, PWDs in the country have limited access to basic human rights, such as work, health care or education.

‘The lack of a new, updated Disability Act has been plaguing the disability sector for a very long time. It is something they have been advocating for over the last 15 years – but they were losing hope. That hope has been renewed by this campaign. We look forward to working together to create an equal Zimbabwe’, Sightsavers’ Campaign Manager, Isaacs Mwale, said.

Moving forward, addressing the challenges faced by PWDs in Zimbabwe requires an approach that includes strengthening legislative frameworks, improving accessibility, combating discrimination, enhancing social support systems, and promoting inclusive development policies.

Development Diaries therefore calls on the government of Zimbabwe to come up with an updated disability law that will enable PWDs to fully realise their rights.

Photo source: United Nations