General

For many persons with disabilities, barriers to healthcare remain deeply entrenched, from inaccessible buildings to discriminatory attitudes. A new Disability Inclusive Service Site Assessment Tool, currently being validated in Kabwe, is set to change that. Developed under the leadership of the Ministry of Health, with support from Marie Stopes Zambia and in collaboration with stakeholders such as the ZAPD, the tool is designed to help health facilities identify and address the gaps that hinder equitable service provision. The tool goes beyond basic checklists. It provides a comprehensive framework to assess whether health services are accessible, respectful, and responsive to the diverse needs of persons with disabilities. It covers areas such as infrastructure, client flow, communication, counselling, and health promotion, ensuring that inclusion is built into every stage of service delivery. Speaking during the official opening of the validation workshop, Mr. Frankson Musukwa, Director General of ZAPD, emphasized the urgency and value of the tool. “This tool is not just a checklist,” he said. “It is a mechanism to hold ourselves accountable to the principles of accessibility, dignity, and equity. It reflects a broader vision: a health system where persons with disabilities are not an afterthought, but a priority.” Mr. Musukwa commended the Ministry of Health and Marie Stopes Zambia for their visionary leadership in spearheading the development of the tool. He noted that the initiative is a powerful affirmation of Zambia’s commitment to leaving no one behind in the journey toward universal health coverage. Also speaking at the event, Marie Stopes Zambia Operations Director Inonge Wina reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to ensuring disability inclusion across all its operations. “Disability should not be treated as a standalone project but as an integral part of routine programming,” she said. Ms. Wina added that Marie Stopes has taken steps to ensure disability is embedded in both budgeting and program design and expressed optimism about the tool’s growing attention at government level. Meanwhile, Director of the Nursing Unit Daphen Shamambo called on participants to take the tool beyond the validation meeting and become ambassadors of change in their respective spaces. “Let’s go out there and champion inclusion using this tool,” she said, urging health professionals to take the lead in fostering inclusive environments. Ms. Shamambo also appealed to Marie Stopes Zambia to consider securing funding for training health workers in basic sign language to help bridge communication barriers. In closing, Mr. Musukwa reaffirmed ZAPD’s commitment to supporting implementation, capacity building, and ongoing monitoring of the tool. “Together, we can build a health system, and indeed a country, that is inclusive, just, and responsive to the needs of all its people.”

Mansa, Luapula Province – The Government has reaffirmed its commitment to disability inclusion and economic empowerment following a high-level engagement with the Zambia Agency for Persons with Disabilities (ZAPD). The meeting, held earlier today, saw a ZAPD delegation pay a courtesy call on Luapula Province Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Prudence Chinama Kangwa, as part of the Agency’s ongoing 10-day working visit to the province. The delegation, led by ZAPD Director General Frankson Musukwa, is in Luapula to assess a herd of 112 cattle managed by the Agency at its Chipili District farm. The visit also aims to explore sustainable marketing options for selected livestock as part of a broader strategy to strengthen disability-focused programs through productive asset management. In his remarks, Mr. Musukwa expressed gratitude to President Hakainde Hichilema for championing disability rights through inclusive leadership. “As the first deaf person to serve as Director General, I am a testament to the potential of persons with disabilities to contribute meaningfully to national development,” he said. “It is time we fully actualize our participation in decision-making structures across all provinces and constituencies.” Permanent Secretary Kangwa assured the delegation of Government’s continued support, emphasizing that Luapula Province remains committed to facilitating ZAPD’s operations in line with national policy. “We are guided by the President’s vision of inclusion, equity, and opportunity for all,” she said. “Persons with disabilities are not less capable—they are differently abled. With the right support and environment, they can play a significant role in building a prosperous Zambia.” While acknowledging ZAPD’s intention to sell some of the livestock, Mrs. Kangwa encouraged the Agency to prioritize herd expansion over disposal, noting Luapula’s potential as an emerging agricultural hub. In response, Mr. Musukwa clarified that only surplus bulls are earmarked for sale, in line with expert advice aimed at preventing inbreeding and maintaining herd health. Mr. Lavu Jere, Acting Principal Stock Verifier at the Ministry of Finance and National Planning and a member of the ZAPD Disposal Committee, reaffirmed this approach. He stated that a technical team has been constituted to conduct a thorough assessment and recommend the most appropriate disposal strategy based on sound livestock management practices. The visit underscores the Government’s broader commitment to integrating persons with disabilities into mainstream economic activities and promoting inclusive development across all regions.

Mansa, Zambia — In a powerful show of solidarity and advocacy, the Zambia Agency for Persons with Disabilities (ZAPD) recently brought together community members, stakeholders, and government officials in Mansa to commemorate International Albinism Awareness Day (IAAD), under the banner, “Demanding our Rights: Protect our Skin, Preserve our Lives.” The event took place at UB Market drawing participation from various stakeholders and members of the community. The commemoration was graced by Mansa District Commissioner, Ms. Ireen Chivweta, who emphasized government’s unwavering commitment to upholding the rights, safety, and dignity of persons with albinism. While IAAD is typically marked globally in June, this local event was rescheduled out of respect for a national mourning period and was successfully held recently. ZAPD used the occasion to raise public awareness around albinism, highlight ongoing challenges faced by persons with albinism, and promote their inclusion and protection in all areas of life. We extend sincere appreciation to Groups Focused Consultation (GFC), working in collaboration with Cheshire Homes, for making the event possible. Additional support was received from Young Phirols and FM Grocery & General Dealers, whose financial and material contributions greatly enhanced the success of the event.

Siavonga District Commissioner Geoffrey Jakopo has called for urgent action to dismantle barriers faced by persons with disabilities, describing inaccessibility as “a form of injustice.” Speaking at the ongoing workshop to validate Zambia’s Draft Accessibility Guidelines, Mr. Jakopo highlighted challenges such as inaccessible infrastructure, non-inclusive public transport, and digital platforms that exclude persons with visual or hearing impairments. He also noted the lack of accessible formats in public communication, such as Braille and sign language. “These are not mere inconveniences, they are systemic exclusions that result in lost opportunities, limited education, and avoidable health risks,” he said. Mr. Jakopo described the broad participation including government officials, employers, workers, organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs), academia, professional bodies, and parastatals, as a testament to the shared commitment to building an inclusive, rights-based society. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to inclusion through instruments such as the Persons with Disabilities Act No. 6 of 2012,Cabinet Circular No. 30 of 2024, and the recently launched National Policy on Persons with Disabilities, along with its Implementation Plan and Disability Mainstreaming Guidelines. Calling the Draft Guidelines, a “monumental step,” Mr. Jakopo urged stakeholders to ensure the workshop sparks a national shift from compliance to commitment, and from policy to practice. The workshop which ends tomorrow, is organized by the Zambia Agency for Persons with Disabilities (ZAPD), with financial support from the International Labour Organization (ILO).

Kansanshi Mine PLC, through the Kansanshi Foundation, has donated a printer and essential printing materials to the Zambia Agency for Persons with Disabilities (ZAPD) North-Western Provincial Office in Solwezi to support the production of disability cards. The donation, comprising a printer, 5,000 plain cards and 10 ribbons, was handed over by Kansanshi Foundation Manager Mr. Simon Donald Keevil, who said the Mine is committed to making a meaningful difference in people’s lives. “Having learned of the challenges faced by the ZAPD office in printing disability cards, Kansanshi Mine saw an opportunity to step in and assist,” he noted. Receiving the donation, ZAPD Provincial Coordinator Mr. Osco Moondoma expressed gratitude to the Mine, stating that the support would significantly help reduce the backlog of unprinted disability cards and enable continued service delivery. He also appealed to Kansanshi Mine to sustain its support for persons with disabilities through its corporate social responsibility programmes. Mr. Emmanuel Samu, a person with a disability and Coordinator for Community-Based Inclusive Development (CBID), also lauded the Mine’s gesture and ZAPD’s engagement efforts. “This donation means that many of my fellow persons with disabilities will finally access disability cards, which are a vital document for accessing various services and benefits,” he said. The donation is valued at K168,000 and is expected to enhance ZAPD’s operational capacity in the region.

July 14, 2025 – Siavonga, Southern Province, Zambia, -The Zambia Agency for Persons with Disabilities (ZAPD) Inspectorate, in collaboration with other experts in the disability sector, has convened in Siavonga to validate newly developed accessibility guidelines, an activity that marks a major milestone toward the establishment of national standards designed to promote inclusivity across all sectors. Mandated under Section 40 (3) of the Persons with Disabilities Act No. 6 of 2012, ZAPD is responsible for developing minimum standards and guidelines to ensure the accessibility of facilities and services open or provided to the public. In line with this mandate, the guidelines, drafted last year to align with the Act, will undergo a comprehensive review and validation from July 14 to 18, 2025. The workshop in Siavonga is a key step in finalizing standardized accessibility inspection guidelines. This initiative is a direct response to the significant barriers that persons with disabilities continue to face due to inaccessible environments. Access to services, facilities, and opportunities is not simply a matter of convenience, it is a fundamental human right protected by law. Speaking during the workshop, ZAPD Director-Inspectorate Mr. Bornface Tumba expressed satisfaction that this long-awaited development is now becoming a reality. “Access to services, facilities, and opportunities is not merely a matter of convenience, but a fundamental human right enshrined in law,” Mr. Tumba emphasized. “With concerted efforts, we can build a Zambia that is truly inclusive, where accessibility is not an afterthought, but a priority woven into our infrastructure, services, and societal norms.” International Labour Organization (ILO) Social Protection Manager for Zambia, Mr. Jie Yu Koh, also underscored the significance of the guidelines, describing them as a concrete pathway to realizing both national and international commitments, including the Persons with Disabilities Act and the National Disability Policy. Mr. Yu highlighted the wide representation at the workshop, including government officials, employers, workers, organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs), academia, professional associations, and parastatals, as a testament to the shared commitment to building an inclusive, rights-based society. He reaffirmed the ILO’s full support for the process, noting that the organization will continue to provide technical assistance and foster partnerships to ensure the guidelines are not only validated but effectively implemented and monitored. Mr. Yu concluded by challenging participants to make the workshop a turning point, transforming aspirations into concrete actions and ensuring that no one is left behind. The workshop has been made possible with financial support from the ILO.

Kabwata Baptist Church, in collaboration with Joni and Friends, has once again extended a helping hand to persons with disabilities by donating over 200 assistive devices to the Zambia Agency for Persons with Disabilities (ZAPD). The donated items include wheelchairs, walking sticks, crutches, and other essential mobility accessories aimed at enhancing independence and improving the quality of life for beneficiaries across the country. ZAPD expresses sincere gratitude for this continued partnership, which plays a vital role in promoting inclusion and empowerment of persons with disabilities in Zambia.

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Brenda Tambatamba, has reiterated the government’s commitment to building a resilient, productive, and inclusive economy. Speaking at the opening of the first Annual Disability Awareness Conference, themed “Decent Work and Inclusive Employment,” Ms. Tambatamba emphasized that inclusive employment is not a gesture but a necessity for national growth and social cohesion. She highlighted that it is the government’s shared vision for Zambia to become a prosperous middle-income nation by 2030, where decent work and inclusive employment are realities for all citizens, including persons with disabilities. The Minister stated that her ministry is committed to ensuring that labor market policies, systems, and services are responsive to the needs of all Zambians, especially those who are often marginalized. She cited key legal provisions such as Sections 5 and 6 of the Employment Code Act of 2019, the Persons with Disabilities Act, and the Mental Health Act of 2019, which safeguard the rights and protections of persons with disabilities. Ms. Tambatamba further noted that the conference theme aligns with government interventions such as the enhancement of the National Employment Policy and labor laws, promotion of productivity, expansion of social security inclusion, occupational health and safety, and improvements in the Labour Market Information System (LMIS). “Persons with disabilities are not merely beneficiaries of development efforts, they are drivers of national transformation,” she stated. She challenged delegates to generate actionable ideas, forge new partnerships, and renew efforts toward making inclusive employment a reality. Also speaking at the event, Ministry of Community Development and Social Services (MCDSS) Director of Social Welfare, Mr. Morris Moono, acknowledged the progress made towards inclusive employment. However, he emphasized that persons with disabilities still face systemic barriers to entering the labor market. These include inaccessible infrastructure, negative societal attitudes, lack of reasonable accommodation, and limited access to education and skills training. In a speech read on his behalf by Principal Social Welfare Officer Nosiku Mulambia, Mr. Moono said the government, through MCDSS, has taken deliberate steps to create an enabling environment for persons with disabilities and remains committed to ensuring their full participation in national development. International Labour Organization (ILO) Social Protection Manager for Zambia, Mr. Jie Yu Koh, also addressed the conference, affirming the ILO’s continued support for Zambia in its efforts to build an inclusive labor market that promotes dignity, equality, and decent work for all. “Inclusion is not charity; it is a human right,” said Mr. Koh. He urged participants to use the platform to reaffirm their commitment to leaving no one behind by ensuring policies are implemented effectively, rights are upheld, and inclusive employment becomes a reality for all Zambians, including persons with disabilities.

ZAPD in Northern Province joined the global community in commemorating International Albinism Awareness Day on 25th June, under the theme “Demanding Our Rights: Protect Our Skin, Preserve Our Lives.” The event was held in Kasama District and was officiated by the District Commissioner. As part of the commemoration, various assistive items were distributed to persons with albinism, thanks to generous donations from the Sisters of Child Jesus and the Zambia Agency for Persons with Disabilities (ZAPD). These included protective clothing such as hats and sunglasses. In addition, the Ministry of Health distributed approximately 1,296 bottles of sunscreen, directly benefiting over 108 individuals with albinism from across districts including Mporokoso, Mpulungu, Mungwi, Mbala, and Kasama. The occasion was marked by joy and gratitude, with attendees expressing appreciation for the government’s ongoing commitment to promoting the welfare and rights of persons with albinism.