Persons with disabilities in Mashonaland West have welcomed the launch of the provincial disability technical committee, describing it as a long-awaited milestone in addressing the challenges they face. The committee held its inaugural meeting in Chinhoyi recently.
The meeting was chaired by Mashonaland West Provincial Affairs and Devolution minister, Marian Chombo, and brought together representatives from government ministries, departments and agencies, the private sector, and non-governmental organisations.
The committee has been established to spearhead the implementation of disability policies at provincial and district levels.
In an interview disability rights advocate, Moses Marufu, hailed the development as a breakthrough for the disability community in the province.
“This meeting is a long-awaited breakthrough for persons with disabilities in Mashonaland West,” Marufu said.
“We are hopeful that our voices will finally be heard and our concerns addressed.”
He described the formation of the committee as a significant step towards addressing long-standing barriers.
“The establishment of this committee is a game-changer for us,” Marufu said.
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“We expect concrete action to improve access to education, employment and healthcare for persons with disabilities.”
Addressing delegates at the meeting, Chombo described the committee as a critical platform for action, accountability and measurable progress in advancing the rights of persons with disabilities.
She said the establishment of the committee aligns with President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s vision of “Leaving no one and no place behind.”
“This is not just a political slogan; it is a binding national commitment that must translate into tangible improvements in the lives of persons with disabilities,” she said.
Chombo added that the committee embodies the spirit of devolution by ensuring that disability policy implementation moves beyond the national level to provinces, districts and communities.
Its mandate, she noted, is anchored in Section 4 of the National Disability Policy, which calls for the establishment of disability focal points in all government ministries and agencies.
During the meeting, participants highlighted several barriers affecting persons with disabilities, including inaccessible infrastructure, stigma, limited budget allocations and gaps in policy implementation.
Many public buildings, schools, health facilities and transport systems still lack essential features such as ramps, handrails and accessible ablution facilities.
Zimbabwe recently recorded significant milestones in advancing disability rights, including the ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the launch of the National Disability Policy and the enactment of the Disability Act 3 of 2025.
The provincial disability technical committee is expected to meet regularly to monitor the implementation of disability policies, track progress across districts and recommend practical interventions to improve accessibility and inclusion throughout Mashonaland West.
