Next Two Months and Persons with Disabilities!

Sylvester Katontonka, Mental Health Users Network of Zambia - Coordinator

Our great and vibrant leader, Mr. Michael Sata has been put to rest. MHSRIP!

He obviously leaves sorrow, grief, cry and a feeling of loss in everyone. He leaves a very dark cloud above all of us which will take time to dissolve. He leaves empty space. Peace is with us as linger around the empty space.

Mr. Michael Sata has created a gap. A gap that will cause suspicion, fear, doubt, uncertainty and of course name calling. Let us treat this gap as a peace builder. In order to fit in this peace we ourselves as individuals must immediately mutate into peace makers. Peace is with us!

Where are persons with disabilities in this gap? Persons with disabilities and their representative organisations must with immediate effect begin to preach peace. We have entered into a period of turbulence, volatility and political contest. Why should persons with disabilities begin to preach peace? Peace brings unity. Unity breeds development. Development moulds improved livelihood. Persons with disabilities want improved livelihood. Therefore, in preaching peace, organisations of persons with disabilities should come out and clearly be seen to be calling for leaders who will improve the livelihood of persons with disabilities.

Organisations of persons with disabilities should call for the quick launch of the National Policy on Disability and the National Social Protection Policy. The approval of these policies was expedited during President Sata, s reign. The political leaders who will be campaigning should be reminded that this is key for persons with disabilities. This will enhance the effective inclusion of persons with disabilities in community and national level development.

The political leaders should be reminded that persons with disabilities want the implementation of the recommendations that came out of a report on the Human Rights of Persons with Mental Health Issues mid-2014. The report made clear recommendations on improving the human rights of persons with mental health issues including women and children. The report is with government and was launched by the Mental Disability Advocacy Centre of Hungary in conjunction with Mental Health Users Network of Zambia.

The political leaders should be reminded to prioritise the implementation of the recommendations which were submitted to them by the Human Rights Watch on issues around Persons with Disabilities and HIV/Aids in Zambia. Health matter should be put as priority for persons with disabilities. The report is with government.

Persons with disabilities need access to land for development. This is an issue which the political leaders should promise persons with disabilities. Land is very difficult to acquire for persons with disabilities because of the exorbitant cost it fetches. Organisations of persons with disabilities should demand that land should will be put as priority as the leaders campaign.

Early Childhood Education is still a nightmare for children with disabilities. Developing an inclusive early childhood education system which will deliver quality education effectively to children with disabilities is key. Persons with disabilities should ask questions to the political leaders on whether they will consider children with disabilities. Children with disabilities should be seen to easily enroll in any school and participate fully and effectively on an equal basis with other children. Which political leader promises this? Check!
Creation of employment for youths and adults with disabilities should not be political rhetoric and policy mirage. Organisations of persons with disabilities should check out for real leaders offering systematic delivery of equal opportunities for youths and adults with disabilities.
Women with disabilities continue to suffer abuse, violence and exploitation. Which political leader promises to improve this matter? Check!
Organisations of persons with disabilities should check the political leaders against their understanding of the principles of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. This should now form part of their manifestoes or campaign messages. In order to have them commit themselves, persons with disabilities, through their representative organisations should sign social contracts with the key political parties. They should campaign on the basis of these social contracts. After elections, the leaders who will rise to the ‘throne’ should be checked against the social contract. What do you think about this?
This is the time to rise, persons with disabilities!

Wamundila Waliuya

Let’s do this!