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Position paper on disability issues in Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe AIDS Network (ZAN)
July 20, 2012

We, representatives of People with Disabilities (PWDs) in Mat North, recognize the urgent need to address the human rights concerns of PWDs as we commemorate the Day of the African Child. To aid our advocacy, we have congregated at the Tatenda Lodge Conference Room in Vic Falls on the 12th July 2012 and presented key demands necessary in according us our fundamental rights. We appreciate the existence of the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities. We are however concerned that Zimbabwe has not ratified the Convention.

EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES

1. We note with concern that, there are very few government schools that cater for children with disabilities and as a result, many children with disabilities in Zimbabwe end up never going to school. As PWDs, we therefore miss on livelihood opportunities and information on health.

We are therefore calling upon responsible authorities to invest in the education of PWDs paying particular attention to investment in appropriate technologies.

ACCESS TO HEALTH

2. We note with concern that information on health does not always resonate with the basic needs of PWDs resulting in most of us shying away from accessing health services. We are recommending that PWDs be involved in the development of materials on health to ensure that their concerns are adequately addressed.

PERSONAL MOBILITY

3. We note with concern that, access to buildings and public transport and amenities remain a major obstacle facing People with Disabilities. As a result, our participation and involvement in national development is limited We are therefore, calling upon government enforce the establishment of disability user friendly infrastructure is not user-friendly.

WORK AND EMPLOYMENT

4. We note with concern that there are no targeted disability friendly livelihood projects or programmes further marginalizing PWDs whose employment opportunities have always been limited. Lack of opportunities has resulted in some PWDs begging which is not sustainable. We are therefore, calling upon the government to increase the budget allocation for PWDs in order to promote a wide range of livelihood options for PWDs. This will empower PWDs to have self-sustenance.

ACCESS TO JUSTICE

5. We note the challenges women with visual impairment face when reporting incidences of sexual violence and abuse. In most cases, perpetrators of rape have gone unpunished whilst the lives of those abused is damaged permanently.

We are therefore, calling upon the government to institute effective access to justice for PWD through appropriate training for personnel working in the filed of administration of justice, police and prison.

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