Government on Wednesday convened Zimbabwe’s inaugural National Disability Symposium in Harare, bringing together policymakers, organisations representing persons with disabilities, development partners and civil society groups to assess the country’s progress on disability inclusion and rights protection.
The symposium, hosted by the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare at Rainbow Towers Hotel, is running under the theme, “Towards an Inclusive Future, A Self-Assessment of the Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in Zimbabwe.”
Opening the event, Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Edgar Moyo said disability inclusion must move beyond policy declarations into practical implementation backed by resources and institutional commitment.
“Inclusion is not an aspiration but an operational reality that requires technical rigor, sustained financing and the full participation of persons with disabilities,” Moyo said in his keynote address.
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The gathering comes as Zimbabwe continues to face calls to strengthen accessibility, social protection systems, employment opportunities and equal participation for persons with disabilities across public and private sectors.
According to organisers, the symposium seeks to review existing frameworks and promote dialogue on how Zimbabwe can improve inclusion in line with constitutional provisions and international obligations.
Sightsavers said the symposium’s objective is to “uphold the rights and responsibilities of persons with disabilities as enshrined in the Constitution of Zimbabwe (2013) and supported by the Persons with Disabilities Act [Chapter 17:15], using dialogue and self-assessment to promote a more inclusive future.”
Stakeholders attending the symposium are expected to examine barriers affecting persons with disabilities in areas including education, healthcare, employment, digital access and public service delivery, while also identifying gaps in implementation of existing disability policies and legislation.
The symposium also reflects growing pressure on governments across the region to mainstream disability inclusion into national development planning and budgeting frameworks rather than treating disability issues as standalone welfare concerns.
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