Zambia Federation of Disability Organisations - ZAFOD

19/03/2026

Meet 𝐑𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐥 𝐌𝐳𝐞𝐤𝐚, a Civic Champion under the Why My Voice Matters Campaign.
Rachel Mzeka is a fourth-year Social Work student at the University of Zambia with a strong passion for human rights and the empowerment of vulnerable communities. Her work is rooted in advancing social justice, strengthening community development initiatives, and promoting the well-being of individuals, particularly those whose voices are often overlooked.
Driven by a commitment to meaningful change, Rachel actively engages in initiatives that provide social support and advocate for inclusive, people-centered solutions. Through both her academic journey and community involvement, she continues to contribute toward building a more just and equitable society.
Rachel believes that it is important for young persons with disabilities to actively participate in elections because their voices matter in shaping policies and decisions that directly affect their lives. She emphasizes that inclusive civic participation is key to ensuring that no one is left behind in the democratic process.

18/03/2026

Meet 𝐌𝐰𝐢𝐳𝐚 𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚, a Civic Champion under the Why My Voice Matters Campaign.
Mwiza Banda is a final-year Social Work student at Evelyn Hone College and a dedicated youth leader championing disability rights and inclusive development in Zambia. He is the founder of the Evelyn Hone College Disabilities Rights Association (EHCODRA), where he leads initiatives to amplify the voices and participation of students with disabilities within academic and community spaces.
In addition, Mwiza serves as a Board Member of the Africa-Europe Youth Academy (AEYA), contributing to youth-led programs that foster cross-continental collaboration and inclusive leadership. Deeply committed to advancing equity, he advocates for policies and practices that ensure equal opportunities, accessibility, and meaningful participation for persons with disabilities.
Mwiza believes that young persons with disabilities must actively engage in elections because their participation shapes decisions that impact their lives and communities. He emphasizes that when every voice is heard, society becomes more inclusive, equitable, and empowered.

17/03/2026

𝐃𝐄𝐌𝐎𝐂𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐘 is strongest when every citizen has the opportunity to participate. Persons with disabilities, young people, women, and the elderly all have the equal right to vote and to be part of shaping the future of their communities and the nation.

Ensuring inclusive and accessible elections means removing barriers and creating an environment where everyone can participate freely, confidently, and with dignity. When no one is left behind in the democratic process, our governance becomes more representative, responsive, and just.

Let us continue to promote and support inclusive civic participation so that every voice is heard and every vote counts.

#𝗭𝗔𝗙𝗢𝗗

17/03/2026

Today we are excited to launch the campaign as we count down to the 2026 General Elections.

This campaign is all about young people realizing that our voices and our votes matter. The choices made today shape the kind of Zambia we will live, work, and grow in tomorrow.

Over the next few weeks, we will be setting up Civic Information Hubs in Lusaka where young people can come through, ask questions, learn something new, and talk about why voting matters.

Our hubs will be popping up at different selected locations, so stay tuned to find out when and where we will be next.

And here is the fun part. When you visit our hubs, you will get to take part in our Pop n Learn activities. Pop a balloon, answer a quick civic question, and you might walk away with some exciting branded giveaways.

Bring your friends. Bring your classmates. Come curious, have fun, and learn something that actually matters.

Because the future is not something that just happens to us. It is something we help shape.

My vote matters. Your vote matters. Our future matters.

17/03/2026

The 𝐙𝐚𝐦𝐛𝐢𝐚 𝐅𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 (𝐙𝐀𝐅𝐎𝐃) has officially launched the 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐌𝐲 𝐕𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐂𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐠𝐧, with a strong focus on empowering youth with disabilities to actively participate in Zambia’s democratic and electoral processes.
Young people with disabilities are a vital part of Zambia’s future, yet many face barriers that limit their full participation in elections. These include challenges such as limited access to information, physical inaccessibility, and perceptions that their vote does not matter or may not lead to meaningful change. This campaign seeks to address these gaps by building confidence, awareness, and active engagement among youth with disabilities.
Through targeted civic and voter education, community engagement, and strategic partnerships, the campaign will equip young people with disabilities, and persons with disabilities more broadly, with the knowledge and tools needed to understand their rights and participate effectively in elections.
The “𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐌𝐲 𝐕𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐂𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐠𝐧” also advocates for accessible, inclusive, and barrier-free electoral environments. This includes improving access to polling stations, ensuring voter education materials are available in accessible formats, and promoting a culture of inclusion that respects the dignity and independence of every voter.
Through this initiative, 𝐙𝐀𝐅𝐎𝐃 continues to champion an inclusive democracy that reflects the voices and aspirations of all citizens. The campaign is a call to action for institutions, communities, and stakeholders to work together in creating an electoral system where every eligible voter regardless of ability can participate fully and confidently.
Ultimately, the campaign reinforces a simple but powerful message: every voice matters, and inclusive participation is essential for sustainable development and national progress.

16/03/2026

Last Friday, the Zambia Federation of Disability Organisations (ZAFOD), in collaboration with Center for Young Leaders in Africa-Zambia (CYLA), successfully held a Physical and Virtual Civic Education Ambassador Orientation Meeting at CYLA’s office as part of the ongoing Civic and Voter Education Campaign.

The orientation brought together ZAFOD and CYLA Civic Education Ambassadors to strengthen their understanding of democratic participation and their role in promoting civic awareness.

The session focused on empowering young people with the knowledge and confidence to prepare them for the peer-to-peer civic and voter education activities yet to be implemented by encouraging their peers and persons with disabilities to actively participate in governance processes, particularly through voting and informed engagement in electoral matters.

08/03/2026

Today, the Zambia Federation of Disability Organizations (ZAFOD) joined the world in commemorating International Women’s Day under the theme “Rights, Justice, and Action for All Women and Girls.”
On this important day, we celebrate women with disabilities their strength, resilience, and determination in the face of many challenges. We reaffirm that women with disabilities have equal rights just like any other women and deserve full inclusion in all areas of society.
We also call for justice where the rights of women with disabilities have been violated, and for action to address the barriers and discrimination they continue to face.
Women with disabilities are women. Their voices matter. Their participation matters. They deserve a seat at every decision-making table.
Inclusion for all.



Thank you CBM for making this day memorable.
We are included.
We are important.
We are women with disabilities.

03/03/2026

01/03/2026

INCLUSION IN THE ELECTORAL PROCESS IS A RIGHT NOT A FAVOUR.

The Zambia Federation of Disability Organisations (ZAFOD) says it is contemplating on taking the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) back to the High Court over its failure to implement the 2011 High Court Sera Brotherton judgment. The 2011 Sera Brotherton judgment ordered the Commission to ensure....

29/01/2026

ZAFOD Launches 2025 Electoral Accessibility Report Calls for Urgent Action Ahead of the 2026 General Elections

On 28th January 2026, the Zambia Federation of Disability Organisations (ZAFOD) held a press briefing at M’Kango Golfview Hotel to launch the 2025 Accessibility Assessment, Voter Registration & Electoral Participation Report.

The report reveals serious and ongoing barriers preventing persons with disabilities from fully and independently participating in Zambia’s electoral processes. Findings from an audit of 254 voter registration centres across 21 districts show that most centres remain physically inaccessible, with limited ramps, handrails, and accessible voter information such as Braille, large print, and sign language support.

ZAFOD has called on the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) and other key stakeholders to urgently strengthen legal compliance, implement a national Accessibility & Inclusion Strategy, and ensure elections in 2026 are truly inclusive. ZAFOD emphasized that accessible elections are not optional they are a constitutional and human rights obligation.

There can be no credible election without full accessibility for persons with disabilities.

Here is the link to the report
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/11RITKgrjoImo7rRsEbuL1UI9BxA7vsvm?usp=drive_link

13/01/2026

OPPORTUNITY OPPORTUNITY OPPORTUNITY !!

ZAFOD has Partnered with Manda Hill Excellence Hub to offer free IT training to persons with disabilities as follows:

Duration: 1year (Jan - Dec 2026) equivalent to University Degree

Tuition fees: free

Linkage for employment upon completion: free

Transport to & from the school: to be covered by the student

Eligibility: strictly persons with disabilities (those without accessibility challenges - the school is upstairs), and preferably Lusaka based or can find accommodation and transportation in Lusaka

Total spaces offered to ZAFOD: 5
Already taken: 1
Spaces available: 4

Send your name and contact details to:
Mr. Katongo Mutamba, ZAFOD Programs Manager: 0957148834
Remember to also state the type of disability

Deadline is Friday, the 16th January, 2026.