President Mnangagwa has reiterated his government’s commitment to inclusive development, emphasizing that persons with disabilities (PWDs) will remain a key focus in national policies and programs.
Speaking at a meeting dedicated to disability inclusion, the President highlighted the milestones achieved since the launch of the National Disability Policy in June 2021, which aims to promote equal opportunities, accessibility, and empowerment for persons with disabilities across all sectors of society.
To strengthen implementation, the government established the Technical National Coordination Committee in 2022, ensuring that disability frameworks remain responsive and inclusive. The President reaffirmed that Zimbabwe’s approach is aligned with international commitments, including the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the African Agenda 2063, which advocate for the empowerment and protection of persons with disabilities.
President Mnangagwa underscored the importance of ensuring that the voices of persons with disabilities are heard in national development planning. He noted that disability inclusion is recognized as a cross-cutting theme in Vision 2030 and the National Development Strategy, with deliberate interventions being scaled up to enhance accessibility and participation. Efforts are being made to improve communication formats, including braille and sign language, which has been recognized as one of the country’s 16 official languages.
The President also stressed the need to enhance accessibility to buildings, amenities, and public transport to improve the quality of life for persons with disabilities. He commended ongoing initiatives to make public sector events more inclusive and called for continued efforts to ensure that disability inclusion remains a priority in national development.
