By Zenak Matekenya

Dedza, November 30, Mana: Minister of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare Jean Sendeza has called on Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) to consider accessing loans from National Economic Empowerment Fund (NEEF) to promote their economic right and independence.

She made the remarks Friday at Thete in the area of Senior Chief Kachere, Dedza during the Malawi Council for Disability Affairs (MACODA) Flag Week commemoration.

The minister said PWDs have the right to economic empowerment but some of them struggle to access capital to venture into business.

“As a ministry, we are proud to be part of the NEEF committee which focuses on promoting accessible loan opportunities for people with disabilities and women ultimately aiming to enhance their livelihoods and overall wellbeing,” she said.

She urged authorities and communities to ensure the rights of people with disabilities are respected and protected at household and in community.

Later, the Minister spoke against abuses like locking up children with disabilities in houses, discriminating PWDs in safety net programmes including subsidized farm inputs and relief food distribution.

She added that PWDs also suffer social injustice by being denied access to public transport such as minibuses and sometimes they are mocked for asking reproductive health services.

The minister said dissemination of messages about the rights of persons with disability is not a man’s show but everyone’s responsibility.

MACODA Board Chairperson Alex Dzinkambani said this year’s Flag Week is critical in sensitizing communities about the 2024 Persons With Disability Act.

He explained that the Act outlines specific guidelines to safeguard the rights of people with disabilities, following the institution's name change from Malawi Council for the Handicapped (MACOHA) to MACODA to get everyone on board.

Dedza District Disability Forum Chairperson Catherine Bunya said PWDs in Dedza face different challenges including lack of access to social cash transfer and poor accessibility to infrastructure.

“People are failing to access services they are entitled to. We hope today's activity will change the mindset of different authorities in communities, public offices, Non-Governmental Organisations and all the people,” she said.

Dedza district has over 1000 PWDs.