POLICY ANALYSIS EMPOWERING PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES – ASSESSING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NATIONAL POLICY ON DISABILITY.
In February 2016, the Government of the Republic of Zambia launched the National Policy on Disability. As the case, this policy was launched in an effort to deal with various challenges faced by persons with disabilities and ensure social and economic inclusion for these persons. The theme of the policy is ‘Empowering Persons with Disabilities’ and this is in line with international and national policy instruments including the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Recent statistics reveal that about 2 million women and men in Zambia have a disability (WHO, 2011). Detailed information of these statistics revealed that most of these people with disabilities live in rural areas, and have limited access to basic services. There are 181, 856 (2.4 %) with disabilities in rural areas and 69, 571 (1.4%) people with disabilities in urban areas in the country (Zambia Census of Population and Housing 2010). The World Health Organisation (WHO) also revealed that the employment rate of persons living with disabilities in 2005 was 58% and that most people living with disabilities were self-employed with more that 80 percent of them in the agriculture sector of the economy.
This Policy Analysis seeks to analyse the National Policy on Disabilities in Zambia. The analysis contains a background and current situational analysis of various monumental initiatives which have been implemented in the past and currently, in an effort to better the lives of persons with disabilities in Zambia. Additionally, this background and situational analysis will outline the initial past and current challenges being faced by persons with disabilities in Zambia, clearly stating what international, regional and national legal instruments and initiatives that have been implemented to help improve the livelihoods of persons with disabilities Zambia. The main aim of the paper is to examine the components of the National Policy on Disability and highlight the successes which have been scored by the policy, and identify the challenges which have been faced in implementing the policy, in an effort to offer evidence-based recommendations for increased effective implementation of the policy. Follow the link below to read more.