NEW: Zimbabwe seeks inclusive budgeting for people with disabilities

Theseus Shambare

The Government is taking significant steps to advance the rights of persons with disabilities by developing United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD)-compliant guidelines for national budgetary processes.

National director of Disability Affairs under the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Dr Christine Peta made the remarks during a five-day CRPD-compliant budgeting and financial management guide drafting workshop which started on Monday in Kadoma.

“We estimate that about 15 percent of our national population comprises persons with disabilities, a significant proportion of our population which we cannot afford to overlook,” Dr Peta said.

Zimbabwe ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) in 2013 and has since made strides to implement disability-inclusive policies.

However, Dr Peta said, a major barrier to effective implementation is the allocation of resources to cover the costs of disability inclusion.

“Persons with disabilities often incur high expenditure to be independent and participate in society. Many cannot afford these costs, leading to exclusion,” she said.

To address this challenge, she said the Government is developing a guide on CRPD-compliant budgeting.

The guide aims to ensure that budget allocations align with disability rights and that resources are allocated to support the implementation of the National Disability Policy.

“CRPD-compliant budgeting is essential for duty bearers to effectively support the implementation of the recently launched National Disability Policy,” Dr Peta said.

Acting chief accountant in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, Mr Misheck Chingwalo agreed that it is important to incorporate disability issues in the budget framework.

“The guideline will assist the stakeholders to promote inclusion, equality, accessibility and participation of persons with disabilities,” Mr Chingwalo said.

He added that the guide will also facilitate data collection and analysis on disability issues, enhance accountability, and foster international cooperation and knowledge sharing.

United Nations Zimbabwe senior human rights advisor Ms Fiona Adolu said the initiative is key in promoting the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities.

“This is a key milestone in promoting the rights, participation, and meaningful inclusion of persons with disabilities.

“Our collective responsibility is to ensure that these principles are not just words on paper but are actively reflected in our national budgeting and financial management practices,” said Ms Adolu.

The Government, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, is committed to creating a more inclusive and equitable society for persons with disabilities.

By prioritising CRPD-compliant budgeting, Zimbabwe aims to make significant progress in realising the rights of its citizens with disabilities.