Mwinyi reaffirms PWDs inclusion in development plans

ZANZIBAR: PRESIDENT Hussein Ali Mwinyi has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring inclusion of persons with disabilities in national development plans and giving them opportunities so that they are not left behind.

“The government is fully committed to see that there is an enabling environment for Persons with disabilities (PWDs) to access all the available opportunities and enjoy developments achieved in the country,” Dr Mwinyi said at an event held in Unguja North A District to raise awareness on PWDs rights.

The speech was read on his behalf by the Zanzibar’s Second Vice-President Hemed Suleiman Abdulla. Dr Mwinyi mentioned that the government’s commitment is at per UN Convention on the rights of persons with disabilities and that already the Isles has a new ‘Persons With Disability Act,’ which requires enforcement.

The event was organised by Zanzibar National Association of the Blind (ZANAB). In recognising the group and taking measures to solve challenges they face, the government initiated the formation of National Council of People with Disabilities and the District Councils of People with Disabilities.

He said the councils have been established with the responsibility of managing, implementing, defending and protecting the rights and opportunities of people with disabilities, and a 1.2bn/- budget has been allocated to support the councils in the year 2024/2025.

READ: ‘Gov’t keen to support children with disabilities’

Dr Mwinyi also highlighted that PWDs are considered in appointments of leadership and as executives in different ministries, adding that so far their performance in the government has been good and with great efficiency, which motivates the authority to continue creating a good environment for them to achieve their dreams.

He said that efforts to create a conducive environment for the people with disabilities is backed by the Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) 2020/2025 elections manifesto, which directs protecting and defending rights and opportunities for people with disabilities.

In addition, he also promised that the government through the Ministry of State- Office of the First Vice-President, will prepare a special programme to build public understanding on recognising the rights of people with disabilities in all regions of Zanzibar.

Speaking on behalf of the Minister of State- Office of the First Vice-President (Environment, HIV, and PWDs), Dr Khalid Salum Mohamed who is the minister for Infrastructure, Communication and Transport said that both the governments (Zanzibar and Union) have reviewed Policies and Laws to ensure that PWDs enjoy all rights.

In response on behalf of ZANAB, Ms Awena Hassan Seif asked the government to increase the understanding of the community about the rights and cooperating with people with disabilities in all matters.

She thanked the government for the continued improvements to recognise them, but they pray for the ‘ratification of the ‘Marrakesh Treaty’ signed in Morocco on 28 June 2013, to provide access systems that enable the blind people to learn and read easily.

Earlier, Regional Commissioner (RC) for Unguja North Mr Rashid Hadid Rashid said that the public should realise that ‘disability is not inability,’ as many people with disabilities can contribute to development, “We should not discriminate against them and stigmatise.”