The Government of Zambia has launched a nationwide sensitisation campaign to promote the recently adopted National Policy on Persons with Disabilities and the National Disability Mainstreaming Guidelines. Backed by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the United Nations Global Disability Fund (UNGDF), the campaign is designed to empower key stakeholders—especially Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs)—to understand, engage with, and implement these inclusive policies within their communities.
The campaign’s official launch took place in Mongu District, Western Province, where more than 60 OPDs gathered for a two-day workshop from August 4 to 5, 2025. The event, hosted at Mongu’s Country Lodge, was led by the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services (MCDSS) and the Zambia Agency for Persons with Disabilities (ZAPD), with technical and financial support from the ILO.
During the workshop, MCDSS Acting Principal Planner Florence Banda underscored the importance of inclusive participation in Zambia’s development, calling on OPDs to inform their members of their rights and to hold leaders accountable. ZAPD’s Director for Planning and Programmes, Inger Mutenekwa, acknowledged the critical support from development partners and emphasized the need to translate policy into improved service delivery and genuine inclusion.
ZAPD Western Province Assistant Coordinator Simona Mubiana highlighted the importance of ensuring persons with disabilities are fully aware of these new policies so they can actively take part in national development. Participants received training on legal protections and the strategic priorities embedded in the policies, along with guidance on practical steps for integrating disability inclusion across different sectors.
ILO Social Protection National Project Coordinator Mwiya Muya noted that the workshop opened a space for constructive dialogue between government officials and OPDs, helping to shift the focus from policy awareness to accountability. Moses Chubili, from the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office, stressed the need for collective action among government, civil society, and communities to ensure inclusive development.
As the sensitisation campaign expands across Zambia, the initiative is building vital momentum. By equipping OPDs and other stakeholders with the knowledge and tools to advocate for their rights, the government is working to turn disability inclusion from a policy commitment into a tangible reality.
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