DISABILITY RIGHTS WATCH COMMENDS PRESIDENT HICHILEMA FOR MAKING STRIDES IN IMPROVING SOCIO-ECONOMIC CONDITIONS FOR ALL ZAMBIANS

PRESS STATEMENT

For Immediate Release

8th September 2023

Disability Rights Watch (DRW) has hailed President Hakainde Hichilema for showing commitment towards the improvement of socio-economic conditions in the country in his address to Parliament during the third session of the opening of the thirteenth National Assembly.

We commend the government for recognizing the importance of improving socio-economic conditions for all Zambians in order to build a better Zambia. However, we urge the government to also prioritize the inclusion of persons with disabilities in all efforts aimed at achieving this goal.

According to the 2015 disability survey, approximately 7.7% and 10.9% in the rural and urban areas respectively, of the Zambian population has a disability. These individuals face significant barriers to accessing education, healthcare, employment, and other basic services. They are also more likely to experience poverty and social exclusion.

It is therefore crucial that the government ensures that all policies, programs, and services are inclusive of persons with disabilities. This includes providing reasonable accommodation in the workplace and ensuring that public infrastructure is accessible to all.

It is a commendable effort by the government to digitize the payment system for social cash transfer to increase transparency, accountability, and efficiency. However, it is essential to make the system accessible to persons with disabilities to ensure an inclusive and equitable approach to the program.

Adopting accessible technology and ensuring that the needs of all beneficiaries are met should be an integral part of the government’s strategy to promote financial inclusion and social protection. This will not only uphold the rights of persons with disabilities but also maximize the social and economic benefits of the program.

We are however concerned that the President did not categorically recognize the vulnerability of persons with disabilities in his speech. DRW expects policy pronouncement at the highest level to always address aspects of disability inclusion. This is more critical as this session is a budget session when persons with disabilities have a lot of expectations.

We urge the National Assembly to pass an inclusive budget that will respond to the needs and aspirations of persons with disabilities in their diversity. Households of persons with disabilities have really suffered from the rising cost of living and urgent measures are required to ensure hunger is averted.

Additionally, the government should also make efforts to address discrimination and negative attitudes towards persons with disabilities. This can be achieved through public awareness campaigns and the enforcement of anti-discrimination laws.

In conclusion, DRW calls on the government to prioritize the inclusion of persons with disabilities in the pursuit of socio-economic development for a better Zambia. We look forward to working together with the government to achieve this goal.

Issued by:

Joan Zulu

Disability Rights Watch

Communications and Advocacy Officer