Zero tolerance to discrimination to People with disabilities

By Monitor B. Ncube

Gwanda: Nkomwa Foundation Trust is implementing a 3-month program in the 2 communal wards in Gwanda rural and Gwanda urban is another ward to be covered under this intervention. The program is aim at fostering disability inclusion among communities and creating space for people with disabilities in their respective communities so that they live a life with dignity and respect.

Yesteryears and before the National disability policy in 2021 People with disabilities suffered stigma and discrimination especially in the communities they lived in, but thanks to the Government of Zimbabwe for enacting this policy. Some People with disabilities who could afford to do something were denied that opportunity believing that they are unable to perform such a task. For example, One could hardly hear that a person with a disability is holding a post in a School Development Committee and the question was “Who then will raise issues of children with disabilities who will need to come to that particular school?”. People thought they will be troubling them whereas they are denying them an opportunity, hence the need for advocacy on disability inclusion by Government of Zimbabwe and all other partners Nkomwa Foundation Trust included.

In these 2 wards where Nkomwa Foundation Trust is implementing this project community engagement meetings, community indabas, roadshows are the main activities to control these irregularities that exists for time immemorial against people with disabilities.it is in these meetings where people with disabilities, other community members and local leadership discuss issues and suggest possible solutions to minimise this scourge.

The project is funded by Hivos Southern Africa- Hivos Southern Africa is an international development organization that contributes towards just, inclusive and life-sustaining societies, where people have equal access to opportunities, rights and resources. Hivos’ approach is solution-driven, and it builds wider movements for change by amplifying and connecting voices.

Phillis Moyo(62) a woman from Majiya village in Buvuma ward 18 who is the ward secretary admitted that these meetings done by Nkomwa Foundation Trust have changed people’s way of thinking towards people with disabilities. “Abantu esigabeni sethu sebeqala ukunanzelela ukuthi ukukhubazeka asokwehluleka kodwa kuyisimo esingafikela loba ngubani ngakho abantu kabaphile kuhle laye wonke umuntu bangabandlululi”she said, “people in this ward are now realising that disability is just a condition which can come to anyone anytime hence people should be cautious when dealing with such issues, Zero tolerance to discrimination.

Phyllis Moyo (62) the ward secretary at Buvuma ward 18

She also confirmed that after those community engagement meetings in the previous programming they went on to nominate a man who is visually impaired to a chairperson post at ward level in the CAMPFIRE committee. There is a woman with a disability who is a member of the School Development Committee as well. The children with disabilities are also getting their identity documents which was not the case previously people thought they don’t deserve to have a birth certificate.

The community is appreciating Nkomwa Foundation Trust and its funding partner for this gesture and this woman promised to preach the message of inclusivity throughout the ward whenever carrying out her duties as the ward secretary. She also vowed that this cause will continue even after the programme tenure have lapsed.