Centre News Hub
Masvingo- Persons with Disabilities (PWDS) have demanded that the government should set aside a 15% quota system in the country’s general elections in the House of Assembly, as well as in local authorities, if it is serious about total inclusion of the sector in decision-making processes.
Speaking during the close of the National Disability Expo held at Mucheke Stadium, PWDS echoed their concern, saying that they need to be fully represented in Parliament, Senate and councils through a quota system just like that preserved for women and youth.
Disability representative in the Senate, Senator Ross Mpofu, addressing guests at the expo, pleaded with the Vice President Kembo Mohadi, who was representing President Emerson Mnangagwa, to facilitate the quota system policy so that PWDS can fully represent and speak for themselves in national processes.
“We are pleading with your excellence that please consider a quota system for us, just like what is there for women and youths. We want persons with disabilities to speak for themselves in the house of assembly and air their views to defend their interests, and that’s what we mean by total inclusion, we need to be there when decisions are made,” Mpofu said.
Another Senator who represents PWDs, Anna Shiri, echoed the same sentiments and called on the government to reserve seats for PWDS in all councils in the next elections.
“In council elections, we need to see to it that every council, be it rural or urban,n should have a considerable number of councillors with disabilities; we have capable individuals in our constituency who can take up those positions and influence policy that will benefit total inclusion in local authorities,” she said.
She added that PWDs bear the brunt of poor service delivery due to policies that do not address the needs of PWDs in local authorities, hence the gap can be closed if there are councillors from the constituencies in the chambers.
Addressing the delegates at the Expo, President Mnangagwa said this year’s theme, “Embracing Disability Inclusion in All Sectors: A Masterstroke for National Prosperity and Economic Development,” aligns closely with the national vision and development philosophy.
“It recognises that societies prosper when every citizen can contribute meaningfully to national development, regardless of disability, gender, age, geographical location or socio-economic status,” he said.
He added that at the global level, Zimbabwe remains committed to implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), whose central principle is “Leave No One Behind.”
“Disability inclusion is a fundamental component of several SDGs, including the eradication of poverty, the promotion of health and well-being, the provision of inclusive and equitable quality education, the advancement of decent work and economic growth, the reduction of inequalities, the development of accessible and inclusive cities and communities, and the promotion of inclusive institutions and equal access to justice,” said President Mnangagwa.
He added that economic empowerment remains central to achieving genuine inclusion.
Through various Government initiatives, persons with disabilities are increasingly participating in agriculture, mining, manufacturing, commerce, and innovation and technology development. This participation contributes not only to individual livelihoods but also to national productivity and economic growth”
