Last week we introduced a column to talk about disabled rights. This was necessitated by the fact that disabled people, generally, have no voice and are therefore marginalised in all spheres of society. The story of our heroine, Prudence Mabhena, whose band group, Liyana, won an Oscar award recently, is still fresh in our minds. Prudence was neglected by family members because of her disability until she was discovered by a school for the disabled in Zimbabwes second largest city, Bulawayo. The school believed in her and never gave up on her. That love and inspiration she received from her school, gave her the confidence to showcase her singing and acting abilities which won her and her group an international award. She and members of her band, who are also disabled, are now a national pride. But Prudence and her colleagues were fortunate that they were discovered and given opportunities. What about the millions of disabled children and adults who remain hidden in their backyards or are used as slaves as this weeks column points out?
World statistics show that disabled people form 10 percent of any population. It is therefore fundamental that the disabled people should be heard. Disabled rights are human rights. Failure to observe these rights is as good as human rights abuse.
Our articles last week and this week show that Zimbabwe is still lagging behind in terms of looking after its disabled people. Many of its disabled people have been reduced to international beggars. They are found in many of the neighbouring countries, scrounging for a living. Elsewhere in this paper we also carry a story about Zimbabwean disabled people who survive on begging in neighbouring Mozambique. We also know that multitudes of them are in South Africa and other African countries.
Yet disability does not mean inability. The disabled people are just as capable as able bodied people. All they need is support and to be involved in every sector of the economy. They want their views heard and implemented. They want to take part in the formulation of the countrys future laws and policies on the disabled people. They want restoration of their respect and dignity. They do not want to be reduced to beggars and social welfare cases. Prudences story and that of other disabled people who have made it, show that the disabled people have a lot to contribute in every sector of the economy if they are well supported and involved.
The Zimbabwean will play its part by offering a platform for the disabled people to interact, share experiences and learn from each other through the column. However the ultimate solution lies in the nation observing that disabled rights are human rights which need to be respected.
Post published in: Editor: Wilf Mbanga