Happy International Women’s Day! 🌸 Today, we celebrate the strength, resilience, and achievements of women everywhere. Thank you for your unwavering courage, brilliance, and the love and support you bring to the world. Let’s continue to uplift, empower, and inspire each other every day. Here’s to the incredible women shaping our future! 💪❤️
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Lusaka 26th February, 2025- The Zambia Agency for Persons with Disabilities (ZAPD) strongly condemns the heinous murder of Micheal Simuntala, a 25-year-old man with albinism in Nakonde district. This brutal killing, suspected to be a ritual murder, highlights the persistent violence faced by persons with disabilities, particularly those with albinism. We are deeply disturbed by the gruesome mutilations inflicted upon Micheal’s body. The removal of his upper front teeth is a particularly cruel act that highlights the depravity of the perpetrators. The ZAPD urges the Police to take immediate and decisive action to apprehend the suspects, Willard Sinkala, Chimwemwe Ng’andu, and Misheck Simukonda, and bring them to justice. We demand that the police exhaust all avenues in investigating this heinous crime and ensuring those responsible are held accountable. ZAPD also calls upon stakeholders to address the systemic and deeply ingrained discrimination faced by persons with disabilities, particularly those with albinism. This includes providing adequate protection and support services, raising awareness about the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities. The Agency will work tirelessly with law enforcement agencies to ensure that justice is served and those responsible for such heinous crimes are held accountable. To the perpetrators, we say: you will face the full force of the law, and you will be brought to justice. Issued By; Frankson Musukwa Director General ZAMBIA AGENCY FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
ZAPD condemns continued killings of persons with Albinism Read More »
The Zambia Agency for Persons with Disabilities (ZAPD) has launched a four-year communication strategy, marking a significant step forward in advancing its mission to promote the rights, inclusion, and well-being of persons with disabilities across Zambia. This document goes beyond communication; it reflects our commitment to ensuring that every individual, regardless of ability, has a voice, a platform, and access to the information they need to thrive. Special thanks to Eastern Province Deputy Permanent Secretary Dr. Lewis Mwape, ILO Country Director for Mozambique, Zambia, and Malawi Mr. Wellington Chibebe, and the Director General of ZAPD Mr. Frankson Musukwa, alongside other dignitaries that graced the event in Chipata at Protea Hotel. Some key take home points from the Launch of our Communication Strategy and New website. The key instruments developed by ZAPD with technical and financial support from ILO other than the communication strategy include the new website, online registry of Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) and the online Research Repository. The registry gives access to a comprehensive digital directory of OPDs across Zambia, which is organised by area of focus, geographical location, making it easier for institutions, donors and stakeholders to connect with relevant organisations. The Research Repository on the website will play a vital role in strengthening collaboration between Research institutions, academia and disability organisations. The Launch marks a significant milestone towards the commitment to create a society where every individual is not only heard but understood. The strategy will create an environment where no one is left behind and where persons with disabilities can easily access resources and information they need to engage meaningfully in society. the milestone is a call to focus on implementation of policies, creating decent opportunities that are accessible to all. a call was made to ensure fair employment practices for providing comprehensive Social Protection programs that meet the diverse needs of persons with disabilities. ILO stated that they stand ready to support government in ensuring that persons with disabilities fully participate in all aspects of decision-making and societal progress. Stakeholders urged to continue working together to provide resources and expertise needed to ensure that PWDs are not just included but empowered.
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For immediate release Lusaka, 14th February,2025-The Zambia Agency for Persons with Disabilities is excited to announce that the Cabinet has officially approved the National Disability Policy on February 11, 2025. This milestone represents a major advancement in the fight for the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities in Zambia. The approval underscores President Hakainde Hichilema’s administration’s strong commitment to advancing the disability agenda through a comprehensive National Disability Policy. The newly approved policy focuses on addressing the specific needs of persons with disabilities, ensuring their equal participation in key areas such as education, employment, healthcare, and social services. It also aims to eliminate discrimination and enhance accessibility in all aspects of life. The Agency remains dedicated to coordinating and regulating services for persons with disabilities. We believe this policy will play a crucial role in promoting inclusive development and social justice for all persons with disabilities in Zambia. We express our sincere gratitude to Mr. President for his unwavering commitment to safeguarding the rights of persons with disabilities. The Agency looks forward to collaborating with all stakeholders to ensure the successful implementation of this important policy. Issued by; Frankson Musukwa Director General-ZAPD
APPROVAL OF NATIONAL POLICY FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES CHEERS ZAPD Read More »
The Zambia Agency for Persons with Disabilities is excited to announce that the Cabinet has officially approved the National Disability Policy on February 11, 2025. This milestone represents a major advancement in the fight for the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities in Zambia. The approval underscores President Hakainde Hichilema’s administration’s strong commitment to advancing the disability agenda through a comprehensive National Disability Policy. The newly approved policy focuses on addressing the specific needs of persons with disabilities, ensuring their equal participation in key areas such as education, employment, healthcare, and social services. It also aims to eliminate discrimination and enhance accessibility in all aspects of life. The Agency remains dedicated to coordinating and regulating services for persons with disabilities. We believe this policy will play a crucial role in promoting inclusive development and social justice for all individuals with disabilities in Zambia. We express our sincere gratitude to His Excellency President Hichilema for his unwavering commitment to safeguarding the rights of persons with disabilities. The Agency looks forward to collaborating with all stakeholders to ensure the successful implementation of this important policy.
National Disability Policy Approved Read More »
The Zambia Agency for Persons with Disabilities (ZAPD), a quasi-government institution under the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services together with the American based Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are impressed with the impact of various assistive devices on persons with disabilities across the country. This follows a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in October 2023, which culminated in the church donating over 450 assorted assistive devices valued at K2.5million, meant to support the Government’s efforts in improving accessibility and mobility for persons with disabilities. The team from the Church is currently in Zambia to gather feedback from beneficiaries in selected parts of the country, interact with the assessors and technicians and evaluate the progress of the initiative following the completion of the distribution exercise in December. The visit, led by the Wheelchair Specialists Jon & Marcia Dow, aims at assessing the feasibility of transitioning to a second phase, which would include the donation of additional wheelchairs and training. Following the arrival of the assistive devices in Zambia, the Church, in collaboration with UNICEF and ZAPD, conducted specialized training for occupational therapists to ensure the devices are customized to meet individual needs. A total of 24 physiotherapists and technicians from Western, Southern, Luapula, Eastern, and Muchinga provinces received training from facilitators from the Church based in the United States in mid-2024.
Stakeholders Evaluate Impact of Assistive Devices on Persons with disabilities Read More »
ZAPD Inspectors held an engagement meeting with management at East Park Mall to discuss possible ways of curbing the abuse of parking spaces reserved for Persons with disabilities at the shopping center. Findings after an inspection revealed that parking spaces reserved for Persons with disabilities are being abused mostly out of ignorance by motorists and security officers manning the car parks. In the meeting with management and security officers, ZAPD Director Inspectorate Bornface Tumba sensitized the team on issues of accessibility and the importance of the reserved parking lots to persons with disabilities. Mr. Tumba further referred to Cabinet Circular No. 30 which gives specifics required for making public infrastructure accessible. The Persons with Disabilities Act No. ^ of 2012 criminalizes the use of parking spaces designated for persons with disabilities by persons without disabilities. Section 45 (3) provides that a person who, not being entitled to park in a parking place designates or demarcated for parking vehicles used by persons with disabilities, parks a motor vehicle in a place reserved for the exclusive use of a Person with a disability, commits an offence and is liable, upon conviction, to a fine not exceeding two hundred thousand penalty units or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding two years or both.”
ZAPD ACCESSIBILITY INSPECTORS SWING IN ACTION Read More »
For Immediate Release Lusaka, Zambia – 30th January, 2025. The Zambia Agency For Persons Disabilities (ZAPD) is a statutory government institution established under the Persons with Disabilities Act No. 06 of 2012 with a mandate to plan, promote coordinate, regulate and administer services for and of persons with disabilities in the country. As we all might be aware, persons with disabilities are among the marginalized and vulnerable groups in society and they face various challenges to fully participate in society which is further heightened by discriminatory social attitudes. The extent of inequalities experienced by persons with disabilities in all areas of development is often as a result of shortcomings in the structural, social, political and cultural environments in which they reside, including lack of accessibility of physical and virtual environments; institutional and attitudinal barriers; exclusion; and unequal opportunities. We are also alive to the fact that persons with albinism face many challenges. Violence and stigma aimed at persons with albinism is widespread. Albinism is still profoundly misunderstood, socially and medically leading to an unsafe environment for persons with albinism. This is due to the general ignorance and myths associated with the condition. Grave among the challenges is the belief that their body parts can be used for charms and rituals. It is against this background that the Agency wishes to commend the courts for convicting Paul Banda, a 21-year-old man that murdered a 47-year-old man with albinism in Katete District, and handing him a life imprisonment sentence with hard labor. We further wish to commend our alert law enforcement officers who were investigating the matter and brought the culprit to book, for the efforts towards combating such crimes. Our call is for all stakeholders to be on the lookout to protect human dignity, happiness, health and safety of persons with disabilities most especially those with albinism. Significant achievement towards addressing the injustices that persons with disabilities face, can only be made through collaborations and strategic partnerships with various key players in society. As stakeholders we have a wide mandate to ensure commitments made both at international and local levels are achieved. ISSUED BY; ZAPD Public Relations Unit.
ZAPD calls for concerted efforts to protect lives OF persons with albinism Read More »
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Lusaka, Zambia – 23rd January, 2025 The Zambia Agency for Persons with Disabilities (ZAPD) emphasizes the importance of safe and responsible wheelchair distribution. We urge all stakeholders to involve physiotherapists in the process to safeguard users’ health and wellbeing. While we appreciate stakeholders efforts to supplement government initiatives and improve the lives of persons with disabilities, we strongly advise consulting the Agency or Ministry of Health on the distribution of assistive devices. According to the WHO Guidelines on the Provision of Manual Wheelchairs in Less-Resourced Settings (2008), wheelchair distribution programs must provide wheelchairs based on individual needs, following a comprehensive assessment by a trained professional. This assessment ensures that the wheelchair is properly fitted, considering body size, shape, posture, mobility and functional needs. In addition to proper fitting, WHO guidelines emphasize the importance of offering comprehensive training on wheelchair use, maintenance, and repair. This training enables users to utilize their wheelchairs safely and effectively. Furthermore, follow-up services are essential for providing ongoing support and maintenance. WHO guidelines also stress the importance of involving users in the design and planning of wheelchair distribution programs. By adhering to these guidelines, stakeholders can ensure wheelchair distribution programs are safe, effective and empowering for users. To ensure proper fitting and usage, stakeholders are advised to consult ZAPD offices in all 10 provinces. Additionally, trained technicians and physiotherapists from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 5 provinces, as well as Ministry of Health-trained physiotherapists, are available for consultation prior to purchase or donating of wheelchairs. The Agency calls for collaboration to promote safe, accessible and empowering mobility solutions for persons with disabilities, integral to independent living and socio-economic development. Remember, compromising on user health is not an option. Issued by: Frankson Musukwa Director General Zambia Agency for Persons with Disabilities (ZAPD) See insights and ads Boost post All reactions: 3737
ZAPD calls for “precaution” in wheelchair distribution Read More »
