Govt concerned with cases of discrimination against disabled people

——–Muchinga Deputy Permanent Secretary (DPS), Davy Chanda, has expressed great concern over increased number of abuse cases involving women and children with disabilities.

Mr Chanda attributed the trend to persistence of certain culture and institutional barriers which make women and girls with disabilities victims of discrimination and violence.

He said this when Muchinga province joined the rest of the world yesterday in commemorating this year’s International Day for Persons with Disabilities held under the theme: “Sustainable development; the promise of technology.

The DPS said disabled women and girls are mostly disadvantaged in areas of education, employment and reproductive health rights.

He said in this regard, government is ensuring that the inclusiveness of persons with disabilities play an active role in the 16 days of activism against Gender Based Violence (GBV).

Mr Chanda said disabled people should also have access to information to enable them make informed decisions about their lives visa–vis HIV/AIDS in line with this years’ them.

The DPS further added that this year’s theme highlights the barriers that come as a result of limitation caused by unfriendly environment such as lack or failure to have access to technology.

Mr Chanda said once disabled persons have access to technology it will bring about sustainable development.

And speaking on behalf of persons with disabilities, Chinsali District Vice Chairperson for Persons Living With Disabilities, Gabriel Chifwembe, said government should also consider giving the disabled farming inputs such as fertilizer and seeds, adding that disability is not inability and that disabled persons, if well empowered, can also contribute to food production.

Mr Chifwembe said some people with disabilities are able to do much better than some able-bodied persons and can contribute positively to national development at various levels.

Meanwhile, Zambia Agency for People with Disabilities Provincial Coordinator, Tililenji Daka, thanked the people of Chinsali for turning in large numbers to commemorate the International Day of persons with disabilities.