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International Day of Disabled Persons commemorated in Zimbabwe
Mandla Hadebe, National Asociation of Scieties for the Care of the Handicapped (NASCOH)
Extracted from NASCOH News No. 51
April 2004

The International Day of Disabled Persons was last year commemorated in Masvingo on December 3, 2003, with various activities organised by the National Association of Societies for the Care of the Handicapped and the National Disability Board. NASCOH’s member organisations in Masvingo turned out in their dozens to commemorate an event that was set aside to allow them to show off proudly how they are able to cope with disability. NASCOH’s secretariat was represented at the commemoration by the Executive Director, Farai Mukuta, Lucina Mangwanda the Research and Advocacy Programme Officer and Mandla Hadebe, the Information Officer.

A sombre but vibrant atmosphere greeted the NASCOH team as they rode into the city of Masvingo as news had filtered through that a great event was in the offing for that day. Although the city was already a hive of activity as people readied themselves for the ruling party conference, also taking place in the city at about the same time, people shook their heads in admiration as they realised that people with disabilities were geared for their own festivities and were not willing to be overshadowed. Here and there a group of two or more hurried past on their way to meet up with the parade that had been organised for the day. They were unmistakeable in their regalia that loudly proclaimed: "A voice of our own. International Day of People with Disabilities, December 3, 2003." There was certainly no doubt who they were and what day they had come out to celebrate, and in whose voice.

As the day warmed, so too did the mood as more and more people, some with disabilities and some merely accompanying them, trickled into the suburb of Mucheke to await the beginning of the procession into the city centre. An army band and drum majorettes had been assembled for the day and were eagerly practising their routines, while a banner was held up high to emphasize the importance of the day. With each arrival the voices were getting louder and the impatience to begin mounting. Various officials, also adorned in the regalia of the day, were seen fretting over last minute adjustments and patiently repeating last minute instructions to their charges. It was to be a day that Masvingo would not forget in a hurry, and a day that would change the status of Masvingo’s people with disabilities among their able-bodied peers.

The mood was similar at the Civic Centre too, as those gathered there waited impatiently for the parade to arrive. There were various officials from the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare hurrying to and fro, checking on final preparations for the dignitaries that had been invited to witness this great day. Members of the public had also gathered in curious anticipation as they too, had caught word that there would be a great happening at their centre that day. Confusion arose mainly because of the overwhelming presence of people from other cities that had gathered for the ruling party conference, but was soon dispelled by the sounds of drums and trumpets as the parade signalled its approach.

The distance travelled from Mucheke to the Civic Centre did not seem to diminish the enthusiasm of the marchers as the celebrations grew louder and louder with each approaching step and soon the square was filled with a kaleidoscope of colours as the procession performed for the public. Heads of the parade busied themselves marshalling their charges into pre-arranged formation and proceeded with a full rendition of songs for the day to the wild and loud adulation of the crowd.

The day was by far not over with the last chord from the soldiers’ trumpet. It had merely begun, and again officials shifted into high gear shepherding their charges into the hall for the formal proceedings of the day. It was a tall order, separating the meek from the humble, dignitaries from the joyous participants of the parade. In the end, though, order and sanity prevailed as the hundreds gathered for the day stood as one for the singing of the national anthem and a blessing of the proceedings.

Dignitaries at the top table wore smiles on their faces, of both relief and wonder, at the multitudes that obediently waited for the proceedings to begin. The Civic Hall of Masvingo was garlanded with official ribbons and flowers and posters and banners. There was a tremendous sense of ceremony and expectation in the packed hall and coughs and whispers and gestures and nods of appreciation. Not many, among both those in the organising party and those that had been persuaded to take part, had expected such a turn out as this. Seats were allocated and re-allocated as more lesser-known dignitaries and late-comers politely squeezed their way towards the podium.

Nobody wanted to be left out and as the introductions rang out the noise became more and more pronounced and the hall reverberated with ululations and whistling even. Then the atmosphere pattered to a hum as dignitary after dignitary stood up, at least those that could, to intone their message of solidarity with the disability movement of Zimbabwe.

Some might have wondered why they were there and what day it was that called for such pomp and ceremony. Indeed some did so aloud, but at least they knew it had something to do with disability and being proud.

The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed, in resolution 47/3 of 14 October, 1992 that December 3 be observed every year as the International Day of Disabled Persons. It was initially proclaimed to commemorate the anniversary of the General Assembly's adoption of the World Programme of Action concerning Persons with Disabilities to promote understanding about disability issues and to increase awareness of gains to be derived from the integration of disabled persons in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life.

Observance of the day also includes monitoring of the implementation of recommendations agreed upon by the community of persons with disabilities and others concerned. During the past two decades, much has been accomplished in recognition of disabled persons throughout the world, as well as in Zimbabwe. One of the turning points was the International Year of Disabled Persons proclaimed by the General Assembly in 1981.

 Following the year, the International Decade of Disabled Persons was designated (IYDP 1983-1992) to promote "equality" and "full participation" of disabled persons in social life and development.

The following instruments were adopted by the General Assembly:

• the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons in 1982
• the Standard Rules on Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities in 1993.

For monitoring the implementation of the UN Standard Rules, a Special Rapporteur was appointed by the Secretary-General in 1994. The Rapporteur works closely with Governments to assist them in implementing the UN Standard Rules. The Long-Term Strategy to further the implementation of the World Programme of Action to the Year 2000 and beyond was also adopted by the General Assembly in 1994.

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