Breaking Barriers: Zambia Steps Up Disability Inclusion Efforts with Provincial Training in Mongu
Written By Maxine Ansah
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The Government of Zambia has reaffirmed its commitment to disability inclusion through a two-day provincial-level sensitisation workshop in Mongu District, Western Province. The training, which ran from 6 to 7 August 2025 at Country Lodge, aimed to strengthen inclusive governance and ensure that national disability policies translate into real change for citizens.
Organised under the framework of the National Policy on Persons with Disabilities and the Disability Mainstreaming Guidelines, the workshop received technical and financial backing from the International Labour Organization (ILO) through the United Nations Global Disability Fund (UNGDF). It brought together a diverse group of participants from government ministries and agencies, as well as representatives from the health, education, agriculture, police, sports, and community development sectors.
The Ministry of Community Development and Social Services, the Zambia Agency for Persons with Disabilities (ZAPD), and the United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office were among the key stakeholders present. Attendees engaged in in-depth sessions to better understand the policy documents, identify practical strategies for mainstreaming disability across public institutions, and explore approaches to monitoring policy implementation and improving equitable access to services.
Mr Mwiya Muya, ILO Social Protection National Project Coordinator, described the training as a significant step forward in turning policy into reality. “By empowering government officers with the tools and knowledge to implement inclusive practices, we are laying the foundation for a Zambia where no one is left behind,” he said.
Ms Florence Banda, Acting Principal Planner at the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services, emphasised the life-changing potential of the exercise.
“Disseminating these policies is not just about sharing information. It is about changing lives,” she noted.
Participants also expressed how the training had broadened their understanding and provided them with practical approaches to make their work more inclusive. Mr Kamukota Nyirenda, Provincial Sports Coordinator, said he now felt better prepared to integrate disability inclusion into sports programmes. Police officer Ms Enah Mbelenga called the sessions “enlightening and educative” and stressed the importance of advocating for inclusive planning at the local level. Physiotherapist Mr Aaron Mumba from Lewanika General Hospital highlighted the role of disability mainstreaming in national development, stating that it is everyone’s responsibility.
The workshop reflects Zambia’s ongoing efforts to ensure that disability inclusion is woven into the fabric of governance, service delivery, and community life. By fostering understanding and practical capacity at the provincial level, the country is taking tangible steps towards building an inclusive society where all citizens have equal opportunities to participate and thrive.