Support the disabled-media told

The Federation of Organisations of Disabled People in Zimbabwe (FODPZ) has urged the media to
play a pivotal role in educating the public and information dissemination on issues to do with people
with disabilities.

Speaking during a two-day training workshop for disability inclusion at Thomas Coulter primary
school recently, the FODPZ national director, Leonard Marange said the media has a major role in
raising awareness.

“People with disabilities are being discriminated against especially in public spaces like hospitals,
families and even the communities where they come from. Some families even go to the extent of
hiding their own children because they have a disability; this is why having awareness campaigns is
very important so that people are educated about disability,” said Marange.

He commended government’s efforts through the President’s mantra of living no one and no place
behind.

“This mantra has ensured that there is increased capacity for recognition of people with disabilities;
there is emphasis on the importance of inclusiveness of people with disabilities in the decision
making processes. This allows for the access to basic and human rights of all peoples,” he said.
Octavia Phiri, a person living with a disability revealed that there are a number of challenges faced
by women with disabilities.

“We are being victimised by society, because they are not educated on how to live with people with
disabilities. Others even go to the extent of asking why we give birth knowing we are disabled,” she
lamented.

The workshop was attended by Nechibondo primary, Lusumbani primary, Wankie Secondary,
Thomas Coulter and leaners.

The Federation of Organisations of Disabled People in Zimbabwe (FODPZ) is a national disability
umbrella body of various national Disabled People’s Organisations(DPOs). It is a non-profit making
organization. The federation was formed on 26 July 2003 and was registered as a Private Voluntary
Organization in 2004.