Disability Rights Watch - DRW

27/10/2025

Advancing Disability Inclusion, Transparency and Accountability in Zambia’s Civil and Political Life (ADIAZ Project)

Today, Disability Rights Watch (DRW) held an engaging radio programme in Petauke under the ADIAZ Project, focusing on the theme: “Promoting the Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in Governance and Decision-Making.” 🎙️

The discussion brought together a youth with a disability and a representative from an Organization of Persons with Disabilities (OPD), who shared their experiences, challenges, and success stories on inclusion in civic and political spaces.

Key messages from the programme included:

The need to ensure that laws and policies on disability inclusion are fully implemented.

Encouraging young persons with disabilities to take part in community and leadership roles.

Promoting partnerships among OPDs, government, and the media to amplify disability inclusion.

Listeners also had an opportunity to call in and share their thoughts on how Zambia can create more inclusive governance structures.

DRW thanks all participants, the local radio team, and the community of Petauke for joining the conversation. Together, we can build a Zambia where no one is left behind in leadership and decision-making.

27/10/2025

CONSTITUTION COMMITTEE BEGINS PROVINCIAL SITTINGS BEGINS TODAY, OCTOBER 27, ENDS NOV 13 2025

The Technical Committee on Amendments to the Constitution starts its sittings today, Monday, October 27, 2025.

The sittings are expected to run until November 13, 2025, after which the final report will be officially handed over on November 26, 2025.

According to the schedule the sittings will begin with Central, Northern, North Western, Western, and Eastern Provinces from October 27 to October 30, 2025.

The sittings will then proceed to Muchinga, Southern, Copperbelt, and Luapula Provinces from November 3 to November 6, 2025.

The process will conclude with Lusaka Province from November 10 to November 13, 2025.

The final report will be completed on November 16, 2025, and handed over on November 26, 2025.

Persons with disabilities and their organizations are encouraged to make submissions.

Demo Finland Zambia National Women's Lobby - ZNWL
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24/10/2025

The Mansa Persons with Disabilities Political Dialogue Network joins the match past in celebrating 61 years of independence.
Demo Finland Zambia National Women's Lobby - ZNWL

24/10/2025

Press Release
24 October 2025
MAKING THE INDEPENDENCE PROMISE A REALITY FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
Disability Rights Watch and the disability community in Zambia calls upon government and all stakeholders to embrace persons with disabilities in all their diversity as the country commemorates this year’s Independence Day under the theme "61 years of Peace and Unity: Building a Resilient and Prosperous Zambia"
The commemoration of 61 years of independence is not just a celebration of political emancipation and self-determination but also an opportunity to reflect on the society we have built over the years and the values that define us.
Persons with Disabilities are among those who contributed to the fight for independence and like other disadvantaged groups in society they too are expectant of a better Zambia where poverty is overcome, opportunities abound and respect for human rights takes centre stage.
The quality of our democracy and the progress we have made as a people is often seen from the situation of those less privileged among us, how we are addressing the inequalities in society, our attitude to persons with disabilities and our investment in the betterment of the quality of life of all persons.
In order to make the independence promise a reality for persons with disabilities,
government needs to significantly increase budgetary allocations to disability affairs, fund programmes under its new 2025 Policy on Disability, quickly sign into law the pending statutory instrument for the reservation of employment for persons with disabilities in the public and private sectors, support a robust national awareness programme on disability rights and quicken the mainstreaming of disability in all government programmes in line with
the recently published guidelines on disability mainstreaming in Zambia.
There can be no meaningful independence for persons with disabilities in a society where almost all the buildings and public infrastructure remain inaccessible to persons with disabilities, communication barriers for deaf persons abound, where deaf persons continue to be denied the right to have driving licenses.

21/10/2025

🌟 Empowering Youths with Disabilities to Lead Change! 🌟

Today, Disability Rights Watch (DRW) kicked off a two-day Leadership Skills Training Workshop in Petauke District under the project “Advancing Disability Inclusion, Transparency and Accountability in Zambia’s Civil and Political Life (ADIAZ Project)”.

Held under the theme “Leadership skills training among persons with disabilities, particularly young people and women, to empower them to take active roles in civic life,” the workshop brings together vibrant youths with disabilities to strengthen their leadership capacity, enhance civic participation, and promote inclusive governance at all levels.

Through interactive sessions, group discussions, storytelling, and practical exercises, participants are exploring what it means to be effective leaders, understanding their rights, and developing action plans to drive change within their communities.

We are proud to see young leaders rising to make their voices heard and shape a more inclusive Zambia! 💪🇿🇲

21/10/2025

https://fb.watch/CT8K9anvGk/
Demo Finland Zambia National Women's Lobby - ZNWL

20/10/2025

ZAMBIAN PARLIAMENTARIANS NOD DRAFT ACTION PLAN ON ALBINISM
"Strong policy and political commitment is not enough we need action backed by compassion and accountability.
Take this as a call to action. Your voice in Parliament can cause the NAP to be a living document. Persons with albinism must not only be protected but also empowered. Inclusion is not a matter of charity but of justice. Let it be written in history that this parliament was not silent when it mattered!"
Moses Luneta speaks on behalf of the albinism community at the end of the engagement on the draft Nation Action Plan.

20/10/2025

Getting a voter's card is your right, secure your right to vote now.

What to bring to registration center: Green NRC (ID), any supporting documents for name changes, and any personal assistance you require.

15/10/2025

DRW Highlights Quarter 1,2 & 3
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The U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)
Demo Finland
Norwegian Association of Disabled-NAD Zambia

14/10/2025

📢 CALL TO ACTION - GET A VOTER'S CARD

Disability Rights Watch (DRW) is calling on all eligible persons with disabilities across Zambia to participate in the ongoing Mass Voter Registration Exercise being conducted by the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) commissioned on 13 October 2025.

Your right to vote is a fundamental part of building an inclusive and democratic Zambia.

This is your time. Make your voice count. Register now.

DRW urges all persons with disabilities to take full advantage of the ongoing Mass Voter Registration as we call upon ECZ to ensure:

* Accessible registration centers

* Priority service for persons with disabilities

* Availability of sign language interpreters and assistive support services

* Mobile registration units in some areas

Let us ensure that no one is left behind in the democratic process.

If you are a person with a disability, or you support someone who is, please take the step to register as a voter today.
Demo Finland
Zambia National Women's Lobby - ZNWL

03/10/2025

The U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)
Inclusive HIV Action; Empowering Youths with Disabilities and Orphans & Vulnerable Children (OVCs).
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Steven Kashanga

30/09/2025

Disability Rights Watch (DRW) Director, Mr. Wamundila Waliuya, visited the Political Parties of Finland for Democracy Demo Finland from 13th to 21st September 2025, as the organization marked its 20th anniversary of championing multi-party democracy worldwide.

During the visit, Mr. Waliuya highlighted the progress of the Disability Inclusive Political Participation project in Zambia. He also engaged with sister organizations from Kenya, Ethiopia and other International Organizations present, gaining valuable insights into their approaches to promoting disability-inclusive political participation.