Vice-President Jane Ansah has reiterated the government’s commitment to inclusion, pledging that no government programme will leave out people with disabilities.
Speaking on Friday when she launched the Malawi Council for Disability Affairs (Macoda) Flag Week that seeks to promote the welfare of people with disabilities, she said there is no meaningful development if a section of the population is left out.
Ansah said the government will ensure that all interventions being put in place are strategically targeting persons with disabilities.
She said: “The government, led by His Excellency Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika, believes that Malawi belongs to everyone regardless of gender, tribe or disability.
“Our agenda for national development is clearly built on this principle so that every Malawian benefits from the fruits of this growth. Our policies and actions are shaped and guided by this commitment.”
The Veep directed local councils to prescribe how the K5 billion Constituency Development Fund (CDF) will economically benefit people with disabilities.
She said: “The K100 million allocated to youth empowerment and the K100 million for women’s empowerment will benefit youths and women with disabilities through business loans.
“I am doing this to ensure that persons with disabilities are direct beneficiaries and that they are not left out on these funding initiatives.”
Ansah further stressed that the Farm Inputs Subsidy Programme (Fisp) should not leave out eligible people with disabilities.
In her remarks, Minister of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare Mary Navicha said Macoda needs adequate resources to carry out its mandate of promoting the welfare of people with disabilities.
Macoda director general George Chiusiwa said people with disabilities continue to face various violations.
He cited accessibility to public facilities and services as one of the challenges.
On her part, Federation of Disability Organisations in Malawi vice-chairperson Scader Louis urged the government to enforce the Disability Act for people with disabilities to enjoy their rights.
She also called for inclusivity in the implementation of government programmes including the CDF.
This year’s Flag Week is being celebrated under the theme ‘Championing disability rights through reporting and action’.
