Govt to include PWDs in all development plans

Zim Now Writer

Government is committed to uplifting the lives of people living with disability through the inclusion of persons with disabilities in all developmental plans.

This was said by Industry and Commerce Deputy Minister Raji Modi, in a speech read on his behalf by Mary Chingonzo, a deputy director in the ministry during the International Day of Persons with Disabilities commemorations in Bulawayo yesterday.

“The Government is dedicated to undertake efforts aimed at exercising sensitivity to disability through inclusion of persons with disabilities in all developmental plans. Our commitment towards mainstreaming disability are evident in the fields of inclusive education, physical rehabilitation and vocational training,” he said.

The programmes, the Deputy Minister said, were aimed at ensuring persons with disabilities become more independent and enjoy the highest quality of life.

“In this regard, we ensure that our policies and programme designs are inclusive, equitable and non –discriminatory,” he said.

In line with this, government appointed a national technical committee on the implementation of the National Disability Policy by the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare in July this year.

“The National Disability Policy seeks to address the preconditions that are essential for the effective implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which Zimbabwe ratified in September 2013,” said Deputy Minister Modi.

Acting provincial social development officer, Sithandazile Bhebhe, while speaking at the same event, said people with disabilities have less exposure to employment opportunities due to lack of education.

She added that research has shown that the majority of people with disabilities are not educated due to being neglected at home as a result of lack of special schools.