Zambia has participated in the first African Disability Conference held in Nairobi Kenya, with a commitment to ensuring the inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in the country’s development agenda.
Under the theme “Persons with Disabilities in a Post-pandemic World: Redefining Inclusive Development & Humanitarian Agenda in Africa”, the conference attracted 40 African countries and was organized by the Africa Disability Forum in collaboration with the International Disability Alliance.
By bringing different stakeholders together, the conference was aimed at building a shared understanding of the current challenges and priorities of persons with disabilities in the African region, with a call for urgent ratification of the African Disability Protocol and its operationalization through a shared and collective agenda.
The conference which apart from technology, also discussed poverty and inequalities, Disability-inclusive social protection, education and access to economic opportunities, further provided an opportunity for countries to highlight progress made since the inaugural Global Disability Summit in 2018 and in preparation for the Summit scheduled for April 2025.
Leading the Zambian delegation, Permanent Secretary for Special Duties at Cabinet Office, Mr Kennedy Kalunga, reaffirmed Zambia’s commitment to ensuring the inclusion of persons with disabilities in the development agenda and highlighted the country’s progress and challenges.
He emphasized the importance of concerted efforts on disability inclusion among stakeholders to ensure meaningful impacts in the lives of persons with disabilities and further called on participating countries to accelerate the implementation of the Global Disability Summit commitments with a human rights approach as a foundation for building an inclusive society.
Speaking at the same event, Secretary to the Cabinet of the Republic of Kenya, Mrs Mercy Wanjau underscored the growing role of assistive technology in creating equal opportunities for persons with disabilities in the post-pandemic era.
“Prioritizing accessibility and equity in a post-pandemic world will contribute meaningfully to a shared future,” Ms. Wanjau said, noting that nations worldwide including African nations have made progress in advancing inclusive development and equitable opportunities.
However, gaps relating to equitable access, support, infrastructure, and necessary materials for increased use of assistive technology, among others continue to persist hindering the realization of disability inclusion in Africa.
A call was therefore made to African countries to rethink the approach to inclusivity and development in ensuring that the needs and rights of Persons with Disabilities are at the fore in both development and humanitarian efforts.
