Over 40 Zambian workers equipped with tools to champion disability inclusion
Over 40 government officials from Western Province have been equipped with the knowledge and tools to champion inclusive governance and service delivery at the local level.
7 August 2025
ZAMBIA, Mongu (ILO News) — Held from 6 to 7 August 2025, the training focused on the National Policy on Persons with Disabilities and the Disability Mainstreaming Guidelines, with participants learning how to apply policy principles in their daily work, advocate for inclusive planning, and monitor progress, following a transformative two-day sensitisation and awareness-raising workshop in Mongu District.
The workshop, supported by the International Labour Organization (ILO) through the United Nations Global Disability Fund (UNGDF), marked a pivotal moment in Zambia’s efforts to build inclusive communities from the ground up. By deepening understanding of disability rights and inclusive development, the exercise has already begun to shift attitudes and strengthen institutional readiness across sectors.
Held at Country Lodge, the event convened participants from health, education, agriculture, police, sports, and community development, alongside representatives from the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services, the Zambia Agency for Persons with Disabilities (ZAPD), and the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office. This multi-sectoral approach ensured that disability inclusion would be integrated across all aspects of community life.
Participants engaged in detailed sessions on the two key policy documents and explored practical strategies for mainstreaming disability across public institutions, monitoring policy implementation, and advocating for equitable access to services.
“This training is a critical step toward ensuring that disability inclusion is not just a policy commitment, but a lived reality,” said Mr. Mwiya Muya, ILO Social Protection National Project Coordinator. “By equipping local leaders with the right tools and knowledge, we are enabling communities to become more inclusive, responsive, and equitable.”
“Disseminating these policies is not just about sharing information— it’s about changing lives,” added Ms. Florence Banda, Acting Principal Planner at the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services (MCDSS).
Mr. Kamukota Nyirenda, Provincial Sports Coordinator, shared: “This training has opened my eyes to the practical steps we can take to make our services more inclusive, especially in the sports fraternity. I now feel better equipped to support persons with disabilities in my province.”
Ms. Enah Mbelenga, Police Officer at Mongu Central Police Station, noted: “The sessions were enlightening and educative. I’ve learned how to apply the policy in my day-to-day work and how to advocate for inclusive planning at the local level.”
Mr. Aaron Mumba, Physiotherapist at Lewanika General Hospital, emphasized: “Mainstreaming disability in all spheres of life is key to national development. We all have a role to play.”
