Tinaani Nyabereka
Gweru-The Senator Representing Persons with Disabilities, Anah Shiri has called for an inclusive empowerment approach towards people with disability in the province.
Shiri urged the community to shun acts of discrimination by embracing persons with disabilities (PWDs) in all activities.
Speaking during a handover of foodstuff in Gweru last week by ZANU PF aspiring Member of Parliament for Mkoba constituency William Gondo, Shiri urged the community to remember persons with disabilities in developmental initiatives.
“We must support the constituency of the disabled in the party and avoid discriminating them. We must also work and focus on the development of our community together despite being disabled or not,” said Shiri.
Recently the nation saw the appointment of the first visually impaired High Court Judge into office by President Mnangagwa.
“As a nation we are forward. We have Justice Deme, a judge who is visual impaired and we have never heard of such a judge since independence.
“Also Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) recently mobilized PWDs so that they participate as officials in electoral processes. We are happy with this development,” added Shiri.
Zanu PF Gweru District Chairperson Brown Ndlovu said the party was determined towards assisting everyone including those in need.
“We are donating hampers here which include sugar, salt, soap, flour, matches, buckets and we are targeting persons with disabilities. This donation is in line with Gondo’s charity work as well uplifting their wellbeing.
“This program will not end here, but we are expanding it even to the rural areas. We also have plans to put in place a provincial association which will engage periodically to deliberate and address various issues affecting you,” he added.
ZANU PF aspiring Member of Parliament for Mkoba constituency William Gondo said the party was ready to work with persons with disabilities in all wards.
“As your child and aspiring MP for Mkoba, I am here to serve you and work with you on various challenges affecting our communities,” Gondo said.
Recently Zimbabwe took a stand to advocate for an end to harmful practices, discrimination, marginalisation and exclusion of PWDs from participating in different sectors of the economy.
Last year President Emmerson Mnangagwa launched the country’s national disability policy as efforts to empower the disability cluster.
The policy which was developed with support from various stakeholders including the United Nations seeks to address the marginalization and discrimination of PWDs while it also strives to empower PWDs by enabling them to contribute towards the national development agenda.
