**Zambia Marks International Day for Persons with Disabilities with Urgent Call for Inclusion**
Zambian Disability Rights advocate Joseph Moyo laments lack of ramps in public buildings
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African Women Foundation (AWF) founder Joseph Moyo says advocacy efforts include engagements with Charles Milupi, Zambia’s Minister of Infrastructure…Leadership of Persons with Disabilities for an Inclusive and Sustainable Future*
By Chali Mulenga, Livingstone, Southern Province
As the world commemorates the International Day for Persons with Disabilities (IDPWD), Zambian Disability Rights advocate Joseph Moyo has issued a powerful statement decrying the nation’s failure to accommodate and respect the needs of persons with disabilities.
Speaking as the Founder of the African Woman Foundation(AWF), Mr. Moyo’s message highlighted the daily indignities and systemic exclusions faced by disabled individuals across Zambia.
“In Zambia, disabled individuals are often excluded from basic considerations of infrastructure development. This is not just an issue of inconvenience; it is a violation of human rights,” Moyo stated.
Moyo recounted his experiences of encountering buildings, banks, and even courts that lack basic accessibility features such as ramps (sloped pathways that provide access between different levels and are an essential feature for making buildings accessible to all: alternative to stairs for people with mobility issues, wheelchair users, and those with prams or bicycles).
“Engineers continue to certify buildings that blatantly disregard the needs of disabled individuals, perpetuating a cycle of exclusion and indignity,” said Moyo.
Moyo raised concerns on the absence of Passenger Assistance Units (PAUs) at airports, saying, “This forces disabled individuals to be treated like cargo rather than human beings.”
### A National and International Appeal
“I have personally sued for such violations, yet the irony is that even the courts where I seek justice are not accessible,” explained. Moyo emphasized that these failures contradict Zambia’s constitutional mandate to protect the rights of all citizens.
Moyo says advocacy efforts include engagements with Charles Milupi, Zambia’s Minister of Infrastructure.
“Minister Milupi acknowledged the legitimacy of my concerns and promised to bring these issues to Parliament, yet tangible change remains elusive,” Moyo said.
“Hotels, lodges, and other public spaces continue to be constructed without consideration for accessibility,” Moyo added, describing this as a glaring oversight that undermines Zambia’s commitments to inclusion.
Moyo shared the depth of his frustration, saying, “I have even reached a point of despair where I publicly asked the government to consider euthanasia if they cannot recognize and accommodate my existence as a disabled person.”
Moyo noted that this plea has garnered attention from local and international media and has even been presented to the African Union.
Lessons from Abroad“
When I travel to countries like South Africa, the United States, or Europe, I am reminded of what it feels like to be treated as a human being,” Moyo stated.
Moyo cited the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) as an example Zambia could emulate. “Their infrastructure and laws acknowledge the existence of differently-abled individuals and ensure their inclusion,” Moyo explained.
### A Call for Change
“Inclusion is not charity; it is a human right,” Moyo declared.A
s Zambia reflects on this year’s theme, he called on the government, engineers, policymakers, and all stakeholders to prioritize the rights of persons with disabilities. “Let us work towards a Zambia that truly caters to all its citizens,” Moyo said.
As Zambia joins the global community in observing this day, Mr. Joseph Moyo’s passionate appeal serves as a clarion call for change, reminding the nation of its commitment to building a truly inclusive future. – Zambian Developmental Media Alliance (ZADEMA).
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