The ManicaPost
Ratidzai Manditsvanga Post Correspondent
THE National Disability Board (NDB) has called on Government to amend the laws affecting people living with disabilities and align it with agenda 2030 that seeks to “leave no one behind”.
Speaking at the International Day for People Living with Disability held in Mutare on Wednesday, NDB chairperson Mrs Mercy Maunganidze said people with disabilities should be involved in the formulation of policies and laws that affect them.
She said this was the only way the nation could come up with all-inclusive laws.
“I am appealing to the lawmakers to review laws that affected people living with disabilities so that the lives of people living with disabilities are made easier. Also when formulating laws, disabled people must be included. Do not to make decisions on assumption of their needs,” she said. Senator Rejoice Timire appealed for the domestication of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability (UNCRPD).
She also called for the formulation of a disability policy that will govern disability programmes in the country.
“We expect UNCPRD to be domesticated and a policy for people with disabilities to be formulated. This policy will govern programmes that are in line with disability issues. We also believe this policy will shed light on what needs to be done to make the lives of people living with disability easier,” she said.
This year’s commemorations were held under the theme: “Empowering Persons with Disabilities and ensuring inclusiveness and equality”.
Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Deputy Minister Cde Lovemore Matuke said a motion would be fast-tracked in parliament to prioritise the release of disability funds.
Special advisor to the President on disability issues Mr Joshua Malinga said inclusion of people living with disability should start at community level.
He said there was need for society to embrace people living with disabilities.
