By Precious from Zambia
March 8, 2025
From Young Women's Global Action Alliance
In Zambia, people with disabilities face various challenges including stigma, negative attitudes, discrimination, and limited access to education, health care, and employment opportunities. Many Zambians believe that disabilities are a result of witchcraft or evil spirits, leading to social exclusion and discrimination. And with limited access to education and employment, people with disabilities often face challenges in accessing quality education and employment opportunities, perpetuating poverty and dependence. Furthermore, public spaces, buildings, and transportations systems often lack accessibility features making it difficult for people with disabilities to participate fully in society.
To address the challenges faced by persons with disabilities, the government must put multiple measures in place. To begin with, by raising awareness about disability rights and promoting inclusive education, the government can help change attitudes and behavior. In addition, ensuring that laws and policies protecting the rights of people with disabilities are implemented and enforced can help address discrimination and inequality. Similarly, investing in accessible infrastructure, transportation and public service can promote equal participation and opportunities for people with disabilities. In addition, the government must offer job placement services that match persons with disabilities with suitable job opportunities as well as provide support for entrepreneurship and self-employment initiatives among persons with disabilities. Fostering partnerships among the government, the private sector, and civil society organizations would also help to promote employment opportunities for people with disabilities. The government could collaborate with disability organizations as well to ensure that employment initiatives are inclusive and responsive to needs of people with disabilities and provide safe spaces for them.
By implementing these strategies, Zambia will create a more inclusive and equitable society for persons with disabilities, address their employment challenges, and promote inclusive and equitable employment opportunities.
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