. . . Over a Million Zimbabweans Remain Marginalised
Simbarashe Namusi
Harare – The Parliament of Zimbabwe has been challenged to urgently reform laws, policies and funding priorities to reflect the lived realities of persons with disabilities (PWDs), amid stark statistics showing systemic neglect and exclusion.
In a presentation to the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, a delegation representing Zimbabweans with disabilities called for decisive legislative, budgetary and cultural action.
Approximately 10–15% of Zimbabwe’s population lives with a disability, yet the country’s infrastructure, public services and labour market remain largely inaccessible, the committee was told.
The presentation highlighted glaring challenges across multiple sectors, including:
Healthcare: Absence of sign language interpreters in hospitals, frequent misdiagnoses of persons with hearing or visual impairments, and severe shortages of assistive devices such as wheelchairs and hearing aids — especially in rural areas.
Education: More than half of children with disabilities are not in school due to physical, attitudinal and policy barriers. Many schools lack ramps, trained special needs teachers, and adaptive learning materials. The Inclusive Education Policy while existent is not being fully implemented.
Employment: With up to 90% unemployment among PWDs, the presentation noted that even government ministries and public institutions had poor disability inclusion records. Access to skills training and funding for entrepreneurship is virtually non-existent.
Infrastructure & Transport: Public buildings and transport systems are mostly inaccessible to wheelchair users. Urban infrastructure, including pavements and public toilets, often exclude persons with mobility challenges.
Social Exclusion & Discrimination: Cultural myths associating disability with curses or witchcraft remain entrenched. Women and children with disabilities face heightened risks of abuse, the delegation warned.
The presentation critiqued the country’s legal and institutional frameworks, citing the lack of enforcement mechanisms in the draft Persons with Disabilities Bill, and the absence of a national Disability Rights Commission.
“Persons with disabilities are not asking for pity — they are demanding access, opportunity, and equal participation,” the delegation said in closing remarks. “Zimbabwe cannot truly speak of development, democracy or dignity if over one million citizens remain structurally excluded.”
The submission concluded with a call for Parliament to:
Pass a robust disability law in full alignment with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD);
Establish an independent Disability Rights Commission;
Allocate funding for interpreters, assistive devices, inclusive education and accessible infrastructure;
Mandate disability hiring quotas in the public sector and incentivise private sector inclusion;
Launch nationwide campaigns to tackle stigma and promote inclusive values.
As Zimbabwe moves towards Vision 2030, stakeholders urge legislators to ensure no citizen is left behind.
