The Government of Zambia recently concluded a two-day provincial-level sensitisation workshop in Mongu District, Western Province, demonstrating its strong commitment to advancing disability inclusion and enhancing inclusive governance across all levels. Held from August 6 to 7, 2025, at Country Lodge, the workshop was organized under the framework of the National Policy on Persons with Disabilities and the Disability Mainstreaming Guidelines. The event received technical and financial support from the International Labour Organization (ILO) through the United Nations Global Disability Fund (UNGDF).
This significant event gathered government officials and key stakeholders from diverse sectors such as health, education, agriculture, police, sports, and community development. Representatives from the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services, the Zambia Agency for Persons with Disabilities (ZAPD), and the United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office also participated. The workshop focused on exploring practical strategies for mainstreaming disability across public institutions, effectively monitoring policy implementation, and advocating for equitable access to services for persons with disabilities.
Participants engaged deeply with the two main policy documents, sharing ideas and approaches to ensure disability inclusion goes beyond written policy to become a practical reality. Mr. Mwiya Muya, ILO Social Protection National Project Coordinator, emphasized the importance of equipping government officers with the necessary tools and knowledge to implement inclusive practices, which will help build a Zambia where no one is left behind. Ms. Florence Banda, Acting Principal Planner at the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services, underscored that disseminating these policies is about making meaningful changes that improve lives.
Voices from different sectors highlighted the impact of the training on their work. Mr. Kamukota Nyirenda, Provincial Sports Coordinator, noted that the workshop provided practical steps to make sports services more inclusive, empowering him to better support persons with disabilities in the province. Ms. Enah Mbelenga, a police officer at Mongu Central Police Station, described the sessions as enlightening, providing her with the knowledge to apply policies in daily operations and advocate for inclusive local planning. Mr. Aaron Mumba, a physiotherapist at Lewanika General Hospital, stressed the crucial role of mainstreaming disability in all spheres of life as essential for national development, reinforcing that everyone has a role to play in this effort.
