A group of organizations led by, and for persons with disabilities, with support from the Norwegian Government (NORAD), has launched a powerful 5-year program called Collective Action for Disability Rights (CADiR).
The program seeks to promote equal participation of persons with disabilities across sectors such as education, health, economic empowerment, human rights advocacy, and climate change response.
Speaking at the launch, Minister of Community Development and Social Services, Doreen Mwamba, commended the Norwegian Government for its continued support and stressed the importance of inclusive development.
She announced that government will allocate at least 15% of the social and humanitarian response budget to disability inclusion, and finalize legal instruments to support accessibility in education, health, and employment.
The Zambia Agency for Persons with Disabilities (ZAPD) and other key stakeholders welcomed the initiative, calling it a practical model for unity and impact.
The program is expected to strengthen collaboration among organizations of persons with disabilities, reduce duplication of efforts, and ensure that disability inclusion becomes central to national development.