About Us

Disability Rights Watch (DRW)  was established in 2011 in response to Zambia’s ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2010. The organisation saw a gap in the development of quality programmes and advocacy initiatives by the disability rights movement that comply with UNCRPD principles. DRW was thus incorporated as a company limited by guarantee under the laws establishing the Patents and Companies Registration Authority (PACRA) and also incorporated as a disability service organisation under the laws establishing the Zambia Agency for Persons with Disabilities.

VISION
The vision of Disability Rights Watch is “persons with disabilities in Africa enjoying their rights and fundamental freedoms on an equal basis with the rest of society and the promotion of the respect of their inherent dignity is enhanced”.

MISSION
“to defend, protect and promote the economic, social, cultural, civil and political rights and fundamental freedoms of persons with disabilities and ensure the respect of their inherent dignity on an equal basis with all other people in Africa”.

GOAL
People with disabilities across southern Africa attain real equality and full human rights.

Where we are:
Plot 37, Elm Road, Woodlands Lusaka, Zambia.

Objectives

• To defend and protect persons with disabilities from all forms of discrimination, exploitation, violence and abuse.
• To promote the rights and fundamental freedoms of persons with disabilities outlined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and other international human rights covenants and conventions.
• To demonstrate working models which demonstrate ideal situations for the fulfillment and enjoyment of human rights by persons with disabilities in all aspects of life.
• To build the advocacy capacity of Disabled People’s Organisations and their umbrella federations and bodies in Africa.
• To establish legal precedents to promote the rights and fundamental freedoms of persons with disabilities and to use these precedents for the purpose of transforming laws across Africa.
• To develop and promote best practice on the domestication of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) across Africa.