Voices of persons with disabilities are not heard in politics
According to the World Health Organization estimates, there are about 2 million persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Zambia. Zambia has ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) in 2010 and has since then included PWDs in various policies and laws (e.g. the Constitution and Persons with Disabilities Act, 2012). These promote the participation of PWDs with equal opportunities in the civil, political, economic, social, and cultural spheres. In addition, Zambia’s National Policy on Disability (2014) recognises that persons with disabilities are entitled to enjoy their human rights on an equal basis with others. Despite these progressive elements, PWDs are often an invisible and discriminated group in Zambia. In particular, the conditions for their political participation have been poorly realised and the participation of PWDs in doing and delivering politics is still low. This is partly due to the fact that political parties have not had the will or sufficient expertise to strengthen the inclusion of PWDs in their own operations. In the last general elections, three persons with disabilities were elected to local councils and none to the National Assembly.
Our work in Zambia
Since 2020, Demo Finland, together with the Zambia National Women’s Lobby (ZNWL) and Disability Rights Watch (DRW), has strengthened the inclusive multi-party system and in particular the equal opportunities for persons with disabilities (PWDs) in politics. The project activities focus on building the capacities of political parties on disability inclusive measures and support political parties in developing strategies, guidelines and/or action plans which better reflect the inclusion of PWDs. Besides the training and advocacy activities, the creation of a ‘PWDs in politics network’ is supported. The network will offer an opportunity for PWDs to share experiences, build a stronger movement and raise jointly identified issues of common interest in politics, across party lines. The project also supports inter-party cooperation and peer learning in relation to disability inclusion.
From 2013 to 2022, Demo Finland and the ZNWL supported the political participation of women especially in local decision-making. The programme ended in 2022.
Results of our work
- Dialogue networks have been launched in two municipalities. Both networks are going through a registration process in 2024 in order to be able to fundraise independently and continue their activities after the end of the project.
- In the 2021 elections, 3 political parties nominated altogether 13 persons with disabilities as candidates, 8 of which at the local and 5 at the national level.
- Individuals with disabilities have persuaded their parties to build accessible routes to party premises.
- Individual politicians have persuaded public bodies to build accessible routes into their premises.
- Seven political parties have a plan for the inclusion of people with disabilities, and one has already adopted it.
- Five political parties have an active disability committee.