Story by Providence Maraneli
THE Government continues to demonstrate strong commitment to adhering to regional and international frameworks for the protection of people living with disabilities by availing services like Assisted Medical Treatment Order and free basic education to people with disabilities.
This was the popular sentiment at Chief Fuyane’s homestead in Matobo where thousands gathered to commemorate the belated International Day for Persons with Disabilities.
“As people with disabilities, we are grateful to the President for the efforts he is making to ensure that we have equal opportunities. There are a lot of programmes that are coming for people living with disabilities and it makes us realise that we are equal,” a person living with disabilities said.
“Today, I have gotten a wheelchair because the one that I had made me fall and I am so happy,” another stated.
The local leadership is convinced the Disability Policy launched by President Emmerson Mnangagwa in 2021 speaks to the needs of persons with disabilities living in rural areas.
“Back in the day, people used to hide their relatives with disabilities, but now we are progressing,” Chief Fuyane noted.
“Since the launch of the Disability Policy, we have seen tremendous improvement in the welfare of persons with disabilities, thanks to the President. Now, people living with disabilities have received houses and farms,” Legislator, Senator Annah Shiri said.
Government is on a drive to empower persons with disabilities through initiatives like free education and free medical care.
“My ministry offers various services to people living with disabilities in all 66 administrative districts across Zimbabwe, which includes access to the Assisted Medical Treatment Order (AMTO), free basic education through the Basic Education, Access Module and vocational training and skills, assistance development through the Disability Vocational Training fees, provision of assistive technologies that include wheelchairs, limbs, to support the daily with different kinds of Economic empowerment grants and loans,” the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, Honourable Edgar Moyo said.
“As the Advisor to the President, I think we have made strides in ensuring that people living with disabilities are included in the development matrix. What is left is for us to close the information gap that exists among persons with disabilities who stay in the rural areas. I am so happy that many challenges have been solved by the disability policy, now we are like anyone else,” Special Advisor to the President on Disability issues, Honourable Rossy Mpofu said.
The belated International Day for Persons with Disabilities ran under the theme: ‘Fostering Disability – Inclusive Societies for Advancing Social Progress.’
