Source: The Herald – Breaking news.
President Mnangagwa addresses people with disabilities at an interface with them at State House in Harare yesterday. — Picture: Believe Nyakudjara Wallace Ruzvidzo, Herald Reporter
Persons with disabilities can be assured that their voices will always be heard in the formulation of national policies and programmes, President Mnangagwa has said.
Since the advent of the Second Republic, persons with disabilities have continued to be empowered and their living conditions have been improved.
In his address at a meeting with people with disabilities at State House in Harare yesterday, President Mnangagwa said under the Second Republic, the dignity of all persons with disabilities would be upheld.
“You will recall that, in June 2021, I launched the National Disability Policy, which guides our efforts to craft, refine and implement responsive and inclusive disability frameworks across all sectors and levels.
“The Policy draws from the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and other International Conventions, which Government ratified, including the African Agenda 2063 and its disability inclusive protocols.
“This will enhance the empowerment of persons with disabilities and dovetails with international standards and best practices.
“Guided by our mantra of leaving no one and no place behind, be assured that your voices will always be heard in the formulation of national development policies and programmes,” he said.
Government, said President Mnangagwa, was scaling up efforts towards meeting the aspirations and concerns of persons with disabilities.
Secretary for Environment and Tourism in the Politburo First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa greets Political Commissar Cde Munyaradzi Machacha at a Politburo meeting in Harare yesterday
As such, Government Ministries have established Departments for Gender Mainstreaming, Inclusivity and Wellness, which are strategic focal entry points designed to enhance the inclusion of disability in the public sector.
“It is pleasing to note that our efforts are aligned with the domestication of International Conventions and Protocols.
“This unity of purpose and culture of working together must be sustained to promote the dignity of all persons with disabilities.
“On its part, my Government is scaling up deliberate interventions towards the realisation of the aspirations of persons with disabilities. Our national Vision 2030 and National Development Strategy recognise disability inclusion as a fundamental and cross-cutting theme that should be considered by all socio-economic sectors,” he said.
The President said Zimbabwe’s Constitution articulates a wide array of issues regarding the inclusion and empowerment of persons with disabilities, adding that the enactment of the Persons with Disabilities Bill must be expedited.
“Section 6 recognises Sign Language as one of the 16 Official Languages in the country. I commend efforts towards the inclusion of this critical language at public sector events. This must be intensified going forward.
“While, Section 22 of our Constitution emphasises the need to include disability at all levels in our development plans, a lot has been achieved towards embracing communication formats which are suitable for persons with disabilities, including Braille.
“Enhancing accessibility to buildings, amenities and public transport, to improve convenience and the overall quality of life for persons with disabilities in all their diversity, is critically important,” he said.
Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Edgar Moyo and Special Advisor on National Disability Issues in the Office of the President and Cabinet Ms Rossy Mpofu follow proceedings at the meeting between President Mnangagwa and people with disabilities at State House in Harare yesterday
President Mnangagwa said high impact national disability issues as well as a broad array of programmes and activities would be rolled out for the empowerment of persons with disabilities.
“No one will be left behind. The Zimbabwe National Disability Expo has always been a successful event ever since its introduction.
“The platform allows persons with disabilities, Government, the private sector, civil society organisations and communities to share ideas as well as perspectives, while enabling persons with disabilities to showcase their inherent abilities,” he said.
President Mnangagwa reaffirmed Government’s commitment to facilitating and supporting persons with disabilities’ enterprises and income generating activities as well as other productive endeavours.
To this end, President Mnangagwa gifted persons with disabilities US$1 000 seed capital per association.
“Self-reliance, self-sufficiency, and mastery of our destiny as individuals and as a country are key at this stage of our development.
“My Government is determined to facilitate and support you in your enterprises and income-generating activities as well as other productive endeavours in areas such as agriculture, mining, and business, among others,” said the President.
He urged the nation to adapt to the changing socio-economic environment and embrace innovative, inclusive and empowering models of development.
“Information communication technologies continue to revolutionise the way we do things.
“To this end, I challenge the sector to move with speed to set up a credible database for effective programming and projects for persons with disabilities.
“Capacity for the monitoring and evaluation of the various programmes for the sector should equally be enhanced.
“Let us begin to see more transformational results,” said President Mnangagwa.
Secretary for Environment and Tourism in the Politburo First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa shares a lighter moment with Politburo members Cde Richard Ndlovu, Tino Machakaire and Charles Tavengwa at a meeting in Harare yesterday
The President commended persons with disabilities for the successes they have achieved through the empowerment programmes being championed by his administration.
“I urge you, however, to build on the strong foundation set so far and develop your various enterprises into more productive and viable commercial brands.
“Nyika inovakwa, inotongwa, inonamatigwa nevene vayo/ Ilizwe lakhiwa, libuswe, likhu-le-kelwe ngabanikazi balo.
“Together, in unity, ngativake nyika yedu. Let us rally our collective skills and will-power to build, modernise and industrialise our beloved motherland, Zimbabwe.
“Brick by brick and stone upon stone, we are realising Vision 2030,” he said.
In his remarks before introducing President Mnangagwa, Vice President Constantino Chiwenga said it was important to celebrate the progress that has been made in enhancing the livelihoods of persons with disabilities.
The VP also commended President Mnangagwa for his all-inclusive development stance.
“Through the guest of honour’s leadership, we have witnessed significant milestones,” he said.
Minister of Defence Cde Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri said under President Mnangagwa, persons with disabilities would not be left behind in the country’s developmental matrix.
“Your unwavering commitment to inclusivity and empowerment of the less privileged citizenry is truly inspiring, unparalleled and cannot be overemphasised,” she said.
Secretary for Environment and Tourism in the Politburo First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa greets other Politburo members at a meeting in Harare yesterday. — Pictures: John Manzongo
Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Edgar Moyo said the Second Republic would not waiver in meeting the needs and concerns of persons with disabilities.
Special Advisor on National Disability Issues in the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC) Ms Rossy Mpofu showered praises on President Mnangagwa and his administration for their continuous recognition and uplifting of people living with disabilities.
Some of the people with disabilities at their interface with the President at State House in Harare yesterday. — Pictures: Believe Nyakudjara
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