The government and partners have launched a national disability coordination committee that will facilitate the operationalization of the National Disability Policy and move forward the agenda of inclusion and rights of people with disabilities.
Speaking during the launch of the committee, United Nations Humanitarian and Resident Coordinator for Zimbabwe, Edward Kallon said the launch marks a milestone in improving the lives of people with disabilities.
“I am pleased to note that the Zimbabwe UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (2022-2026) has prioritized disability inclusion and rights across the four pillars: People, Prosperity, Planet, and Peace. The UN Cooperation Framework provides for specific disability rights interventions necessary for advancing the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability (CRPD) and the National Disability Policy,” Kallon said.
The essential preconditions to CRPD implementation include equality and non -discrimination, inclusive service delivery, accountability and governance, accessibility, and CRPD Compliant budgeting and financial management.
The UN official urged all stakeholders including the newly established national Coordination Committee to strive for the implementation of the essential preconditions to CRPD across all sectors: particularly in education, employment, justice, health, infrastructure, and town planning among other sectors.
He said with the Coordination Committee in place, and the 21 Directors in the Government Ministries, stakeholders will facilitate stronger coordination and accountability for the achievement of Zimbabwe’s commitment to the CRPD.
The UN Development System in Zimbabwe remains committed and stands in solidarity to support the advancement of the CRPD.
UN has already started significant work to advance efforts for the implementation of the National Disability Policy through the United Nations Partnership on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNPRPD) round 4 which provides catalytic support towards strengthened coordination, governance, and accountability.
MMrKallon said the UN Family as a whole continues to implement disability inclusion programmes in partnership with Government, Donors, OPDs, and Civil Society Organizations in line with the UN Disability Inclusion Strategy and the CRPD.
“I sincerely hope that the National Disability Coordination Committee will strive to ensure inter-sectoral collaboration for effective implementation of the National Disability Policy, and meaningful engagement of persons with disabilities at all levels of the national development processes. On behalf of the United Nations Family, I wish the National Coordination Committee success as they deliver on their mandate,” he added.
