The inclusion of disability-friendly policies in local city council plans is crucial for ensuring that people with disabilities have equal access to resources, services, and opportunities. However, the lack of inclusion of such policies can have significant impacts on people with disabilities.

Florence, a blind mother of three, survives on street begging, a precarious existence that is both physically and emotionally draining. Her council house provides a roof over her head, but everything else is a struggle due to the lack of a stable income. She faces criticism from some who say she shouldn’t have had children, as she can’t take care of them properly. But Florence believes she’s entitled to live her life as normally as she can.

“I want to provide for my children, to give them a better life,” she says. “But it’s hard when you’re struggling to make ends meet.”

President Emmerson Mnangagwa launched the national disability policy in June 2021, which aims to address the marginalization and discrimination of persons with disabilities. Zimbabwe was one of the first countries to ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2013.

Gender-responsive budgeting is another strategy that takes into account the different needs of women and men, girls and boys. It ensures that resources are allocated equitably and that programs are designed to address the specific challenges faced by women. According to statistics, Zimbabwe is estimated to have about 1.4 million people with some form of disability. Amos Mukanjari, Kwekwe District representative from the National Council for the Disabled Person in Zimbabwe, says that people with disabilities face limited access to healthcare, education, and employment opportunities.

“Only people with disabilities can understand the needs of other people with disabilities,” said Mr. Mukanjari. “We have been crying out for council to ensure that all council facilities and services are accessible and inclusive for people with disabilities for years, but we are still struggling with basic services.”

Lordwin Rimire, from Albinism Dare To Dream Initiative and current Mr. Albinism Zimbabwe, highlighted the need for a disability advisory committee to provide feedback and guidance on council policies and programs.

In Africa, there are successful case studies of city councils implementing gender-responsive budgets. For example, in South Africa, the city of Cape Town has implemented a gender-responsive budgeting program that has led to significant improvements in the lives of women and girls. Similarly, in Rwanda, the city of Kigali has implemented a gender-responsive budgeting program that has resulted in increased access to education and healthcare for women and girls.

These examples demonstrate that with the right policies and programs in place, women like Florence can be supported and empowered to live fulfilling lives. Kwekwe City Mayor Councilor Albert Zinhanga said that they have always been looking after people with disabilities as a council. “We have allocated them a slot for stands be it residential or commercial in our masterplan,” he said. However, people with disabilities say that while the allocation of stands is a good move, it presents its own challenges.

“It’s a noble idea being allocated stands. But our desire is that council will go the extra mile and build houses for us. Most of us survive by street begging so if we don’t get any assistance and to build and start our own projects we are not achieving much,” said Nokuthula Moyo, a blind street beggar.

Both Mr. Mukanjari and Mr. Rimire emphasized the importance of prioritizing disability-friendly policies to promote inclusivity, equity, and social justice for all community members, regardless of their abilities.

The call to action is clear: local city councils must prioritize disability-friendly policies and programs to ensure equal access and opportunities for people with disabilities. By doing so, councils can promote inclusivity, equity, and social justice for all community members.

As Florence says, “I just want to be able to provide for my children, to give them a better life. I believe that with the right support, I can do it.”