Harare, 7 June 2024 — In a landmark event held at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Harare, the Speaker of Parliament, Advocate J.F.N. Mudenda, officially launched the Parliamentary Caucus on People Living with Disabilities. This initiative marks a significant step towards championing the rights and freedoms of persons with disabilities in Zimbabwe.
The event was attended by notable dignitaries including the European Union Ambassador, His Excellency Jobst von Kirchmann; the Swedish Ambassador to Zimbabwe, His Excellency Per Lingarde; and the Chairperson of the People Living with Disability Caucus, Honourable B.K. Nyamupinga. The launch saw the coming together of various chairpersons of Portfolio Committees, Honourable Members of Parliament, the Clerk of Parliament Mr. K.M. Chokuda, and other esteemed guests.
In his address, Advocate Mudenda highlighted the importance of this newly formed Caucus, describing it as a voluntary group of Members of Parliament dedicated to advocating for the rights and freedoms of persons with disabilities. He expressed hope that this Caucus would grow into a thriving entity, leaving a lasting legacy that would benefit future generations.
Mudenda praised the collaborative efforts between the Caucus and Deaf Trust Zimbabwe, which played a crucial role in establishing a Steering Committee to form a Working Group. This collaboration is seen as essential for the Caucus to achieve its goals of inclusivity and equity for persons with disabilities.
He emphasized that the Caucus must be more than just a collective of like-minded parliamentarians, urging it to be a powerful force for change, a beacon of hope for millions of Zimbabweans with disabilities. The Caucus aims to amplify the voices and experiences of this often-marginalized community, ensuring their aspirations are realized in all sectors of the economy.
The Speaker underscored the Caucus’s role in advocating for disability mainstreaming across various sectors, championing matters affecting persons with disabilities, promoting norms and standards for their effective participation, and lobbying for budgetary allocations for assistive devices. Additionally, the Caucus aims to enhance organizational capacity, create employment opportunities through vocational training, and raise awareness to combat stigma and discrimination.
The Zimbabwean government recognizes persons living with disabilities as a vulnerable group requiring state interventions. Section 22 of the Constitution mandates the State to treat persons with disabilities with respect and dignity, and to develop welfare programs and work opportunities suitable to their capabilities. These constitutional provisions are in line with international protocols, including the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, ratified by Zimbabwe in 2013.
Further, the launch aligns with national legislation such as the Disabled Persons Act of 1992 and the National Disability Policy of 2021. Currently, the Persons with Disabilities Bill is under parliamentary scrutiny, signaling a shift towards a rights-based approach to disability legislation.
Representatives of persons with disabilities already have a presence in Parliament, as stipulated by the Constitution, which requires that two Senators represent this group. This ensures that disability issues are mainstreamed in parliamentary processes. The Caucus will work closely with these representatives and the Special Advisor to the President on disability issues, Hon. Rossy Mpofu.
The government has also made strides in providing Braille services in public institutions and recognizing sign language as an official language. These efforts aim to improve accessibility and communication for persons with disabilities.
Advocate Mudenda called for a unified effort to break down stereotypes and discrimination against persons with disabilities. He emphasized the need for resilience, flexibility, and personal agency, drawing on the inspirational words of Jimmy Ray Dean: “I can’t change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.”
In closing, Mudenda declared the Parliamentary Caucus for Persons Living with Disabilities officially launched, expressing his hopes for fruitful deliberations and a future where disability is not seen as inability.
Positive Eye News
