IVAYINERUDO MAGARAZANO
CHIREDZI- Two Senators representing the people with disability are on a countrywide engagement with their constituency to hear their concerns and map the way forward in addressing their challenges.
Senator Annah Shiri and Senator Ishumael Zhou encouraged the people with disability to positively respond to the opportunity they are being given to air their views through the Ministry of Youth and Health to improve their lot.
Speaking at a public meeting with the persons with disability on Tuesday in Chiredzi Senator Zhou urged the them to embrace the change that is happening in the country, thus the inclusiveness of the disabled in the society.
“Inclusiveness of the disabled in the country has of late taken the centre stage and of the 60 bills proposed in Parliament some of them have an effect on our lives and public consultations which begin on May 12 are a must attend,” said Sen. Zhou.
Senator Shiri pointed out that parents should allow disabled children to attend school despite their physical conditions so that they can fight for their rights.
“Allow your children to attend school up to any level including vocational schools if possible, so that they can earn a living and even show the society that disability is not inability.
“For women there are banks that give out loans with low interest rates with no collateral, the Ministry of Women Affairs is giving out money to groups of women who are seriously looking for capital, some can start projects that suit them in order to generate income for their families’ upkeep,” said Senator Shiri.
“Let’s include high offices in any meetings that we arrange so that our concerns reach where they are supposed to reach quickly, and also creating good relations with them results in positive impact,” said Sen. Zhou.
Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational training carried out a community based outreach program aimed to empower youths, but PWDs did not allow their children to attend as a result they lost out on the opportunities.
“We embarked on a community based outreach with the aim of recruiting children with disability for vocational training but we received negative response from them as only a few children registered for the lessons which are commencing on Monday, parents encourage your children to participate in such programs as they stand to benefit a lot,” said Chiredzi Ministry of Youth official, Nyengeterai Mutori.
