Zambia makes progress towards domesticating rights of disabled people

Zambia has made strides in the domestication process of the convention on the rights of persons with disabilities (CRPD).

Minister of Community Development, Mother and Child Health Emerine Kabanshi also said the country has made great progress in mainstreaming disability policies and programmes.

Ms. Kabanshi said the full participation of persons with disabilities in various national issues was a clear demonstration that government attaches concern to their welfare.

She said this in Lusaka today when she officiated at the 23^rd International Day for Persons with Disabilities (IDPD).

This year’s IDPD was held under the theme, “Sustainable development, the promise of technology”.

Ms. Kabanshi said this year’s theme provides an opportunity to address exclusion and achieve sustainable development by focusing on promoting technological advancement to include persons with disabilities.

She said government has since intensified awareness raising activities and the need for the country to urgently adopt technological advancements in an inclusive manner.

And Ms. Kabanshi said government will soon be carrying out a national survey on disability to ascertain the prevalence and extent of disability.

She said the information that will be gathered from the national survey will be used for disability programming.

Meanwhile, Ms. Kabanshi has challenged scientists, engineers and the business community in the country to promote the design of adaptive technologies for persons with disabilities.

She said there should be an inclusive technological solutions will at all levels to enhance independence, productivity and capacities of persons with disabilities.