JUSTICE minister Ziyambi Ziyambi has said the Persons with Disabilities Bill aims to repeal the archaic Disabled Persons Act of 1992.
In his second reading speech in the Senate, Ziyambi said the proposed legislation sought to align Zimbabwe’s disability laws with the Constitution and the international human rights framework.
"Hence, the Bill carries a different name, a different yet progressive title, that is Persons with Disabilities Bill, which uses the people-first language," Ziyambi said.
“Instead of saying a disabled person, the internationally-accepted terminology now is to say a person with a disability.
“This perspective, which is used in the title of the Bill and throughout the Bill, emphasises the person and their identity, rather than describing a person with a disability first.”
According to the Zimbabwe 2022 Population and Housing Census Report, the prevalence of disability in Zimbabwe is estimated to be at 9,5%.
Ziyambi said the Bill spelt out fundamental rights and freedoms of persons with disabilities in Zimbabwe.
"The Bill also seeks to repeal the outdated Disabled Persons Act [Chapter 17:01] of 1992,” he said.
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“...Disabled Persons Act is now regarded as derogatory, outdated and no longer has a place within the current context of human rights approach.”
He said the Bill aligned disability legislation with the Constitution of Zimbabwe, particularly sections 22 and 83 respectively.
"This Bill will ensure that Zimbabwe incorporates the provisions of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which obligates State parties to change and do away with laws, regulations, customs and practices that discriminate against persons with disabilities,” he said.
The Protocol to the African Charter on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities mandates State parties to modify, outlaw, criminalise and campaign against any harmful practices applied to persons with disabilities.
“Through the incorporation of the provisions of these two international instruments, the Bill will ensure the full enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities and promote the inherent dignity of persons with disabilities in Zimbabwe,” he said.
"This Bill establishes the National Disabilities Affairs Board, the board shall be tasked with important functions such as advising the minister on all matters relating to persons with disabilities in Zimbabwe, preparing and coming up with the national disability policy and issuing adjustment orders."
