A critical analysis of the legal and institutional frameworks for therealisation of the rights of persons with disabilities in Zimbabwe

[摘要] The Zimbabwean society views persons with disabilities (PWDs) 'as uselessliabilities that have no role to play in society.' The Zimbabwean Government hasalso forgotten PWDs since they are not mentioned in all the country's nationalbudgets. This has led to uncountable barriers faced by PWDs in their bid to beincluded as equal members of the society. Some of the barriers are constantdiscrimination, sheer poverty, lack of access to mainstream public services andstigma. Hundreds to thousands of PWDs beg for alms in the streets of everytown and city. Zimbabwe then has to be reminded that all PWDs have:a right to enjoy a decent life, as normal and full as possible, a right which lies at theheart of the right to human dignity. This right should be jealously guarded and forcefullyprotected by all states party to the African Charter in accordance with the wellestablished principle that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity andrights.Thus, the era of silence when it comes to the realisation of the rights of PWDs inZimbabwe has to come to an end. All PWDs in Zimbabwe should know that it isby right and not by privilege to be guaranteed full and effective participation,and inclusion in society. It is time for Zimbabwe to embrace all the rights forPWDs without any hesitation. It is time for humanity to celebrate the inherentdignity, individual autonomy, independence and the right not to bediscriminated against for all PWDs. Every lawmaker in Zimbabwe has to be reminded to delete from the statute books all laws which view disability as amedical problem and instead, pass laws which are in line with the human rights-based approach which is a more enlightened, realistic and people-centredapproach to disability. No time to play but plenty of time to work…!

[发布机构] University of Pretoria