Chakwera vows to defend disability rights

 President Lazarus Chakwera has pledged to defend and uphold the rights of people with disabilities in the country.

Speaking during the launch of the Malawi Council for the Handicapped (Macoha) Flag Week at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe yesterday, the President ordered the Ministry of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare headed by Patricia Kaliati, to conduct an assessment of every public institution’s performance regarding the welfare of persons with disabilities.

He said: “I am directing the minister responsible for the social welfare of persons with disability to conduct an assessment of every public institution’s performance in upholding the rights and dignity of persons with disability and to report those who are violators to me. I will know how to deal with those.”

Chakwera cited the recent case of former Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament Clement Chiwaya, who shot himself in the presence of the Clerk of Parliament at Parliament Building in Lilongwe. The late Chiwaya’s suicide note suggested that he was demoralised on the basis of his disability.

The President cited an incident in Glasgow, Scotland where he recently attended the United Nations Climate Change Summit. He said an Israeli Cabinet minister with physical disability and uses a wheelchair failed to access a conference hall because of lack of facilities.

He said these developments should chal lenge everybody, including government to strive to do more in working towards upholding the rights and dignity of the physically challenged.

Ironically, during yesterday ’s event, the Kamuzu Palace itself failed the test on disability-friendly environment as Ministry of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare chief disability, awareness and equalisation officer Juliana Mabangwe was seen being assisted to access and leave the Banquet Room where the event was held.

She uses a wheelchair and access doors to the Banquet Room have steps which could not allow her free mobility.

Before getting into the Banquet Room, one gets through the Banana Room which also has a step

 that required people to assist Mabangwe in and out of it.

But Mabangwe played down the experience, saying she cannot blame the Presidency for what has happened as the building was built a long time ago.

She said: “But the State House personnel should have known about the people they are inviting and make provisions where necessary that everyone accesses the room of meeting without challenges.”

Mabangwe said her department will conduct access audit of all public buildings following the President’s directive.

The Nation spot check has revealed that the Capital Hill, the seat of government, is not disability friendly.

Speaking on the event, Macoha board chairperson Chiwoza Bandawe said the council was formed under the Handicapped Persons Act of 1971 which is now outdated to address emerging challenges.

He said the Act is undergoing review and a new Act for 2021 is on its way.

Macoha empowers people with disabilities with vocational skills, including textile engineering, agriculture schemes, metal and wood work. It also runs the Bangwe Weaving Factory in Blantyre.