MARTIN MAWAYA
GWERU – The Deaf Women Included (DWI) organization has urged the City of Gweru to relocate the mayor’s office to the ground floor for easy access for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) since the elevator is down.
DWI stated that since the local authority’s elevator has been non-functional for over a decade, it would be ideal to either relocate the mayor’s office to the ground floor or create a dedicated PWD service office on the ground floor, where the mayor and council directors can engage with the PWD community.
The organization is rallying the community support and applying public pressure to drive the necessary changes, highlighting that the inaccessibility of the duty-bearers’ offices has created barriers, preventing PWDs from accessing the very officials meant to serve them.
Additionally, DWI argued that the offices of the mayor and senior council directors, which stand as symbols of local government power, remain frustratingly out of reach for many PWDs, which goes against the tenets of good governance.
“It’s unacceptable that people with disabilities are excluded from engaging with the decision-makers who impact their lives,” says Agnes Chindimba, the director of DWI, during a roundtable stakeholders meeting in Gweru on Friday, adding that they want physical access to vital government offices.
Chindimba emphasized that the public offices should provide an inclusive environment, with features such as wheelchair accessibility and sign language interpreters, to allow all PWDs to interact with local leadership.
The DWI director also urged the councilors to work towards the inclusion of PWDs in their budgetary plans by continuously engaging with the sector, so that the local authority can appreciate their needs.
She added that “it’s not just about physical access, but also about empowering people with disabilities to participate in the decision-making processes that shape their communities”.
“This is not just about ticking a box, but about transforming the way the local government engages with the PWD community,” emphasized Chindimba.
Ward 5 Councilor, Aaron Mumvana, who attended the meeting, pledged support for the initiative, recognizing the importance of accessible council services.
“We are committed to ensuring that all citizens, regardless of ability, have a direct line of communication with their elected officials,” Mumvana stated.
He noted that establishing these ground-floor offices is a crucial step towards true inclusion and representation, and encouraged the donor community to assist in repairing the elevator while this process is ongoing.
The local authority has been facing budgetary constraints, with most directors’ offices located upstairs and inaccessible to people using wheelchairs.
However, DWI has also highlighted various strategies for creating an inclusive environment that encourages participation from people with disabilities, such as ensuring physical and digital spaces are accessible, providing training for staff and volunteers, and avoiding harmful stereotypes and stigmatizing language.
The organization promotes self-representation of women with disabilities towards equitable and transformative leadership that has the power to uplift and change the society.
Meanwhile, a youth and DWI member, Nyasha Mahwende, implored political parties to make sure that their leadership structures are “inclusive by selecting PWDs to positions of influence”.
