By Fostina Mkandawire

Salima, June 27, Mana: Women's Legal Resources Centre (WOLREC) has emphasized the importance of providing an enabling environment where children with disabilities are included and given a platform to express their needs.

Speaking on Thursday after a four days advocacy and human rights training for girls with disabilities in the area of Senior Chief Kambwiri, Program's Officer for WOLREC Meka Gausi underscored the need to equip children with advocacy skills so that they can ably express their needs.

Gausi expressed worry that children with disabilities continue to face limited access to decision making spaces as well as stigma and mistrust from communities.

She said a child that has been equipped with advocacy skills develops problem-solving and communication skills which are crucial for them to express their feelings.

"Equipping children with disabilities with advocacy skills is crucial for their inclusion, empowerment, and well-being. It enables them to challenge stigma and access resources and support,” said Gausi.

She said through the trainings, children with disabilities will be able to quickly identify when they are being discriminated, exploited or abused so that they can also be able to report such issues to relevant authorities.

"By acquiring advocacy skills, children with disabilities can become their own best advocates, breaking down barriers and promoting inclusivity in their communities. This leads to a more accessible and equitable society, where they can reach their full potential," she said.

District Social Welfare Officer Edgar Kasiyafumbu concurred with Gausi that children with disabilities have to be given a platform to express themselves, therefore such advocacy trainings are significant in providing knowledge of children's rights and how they can defend themselves.

"Violations of human rights especially perpetrated towards children with disabilities should be condemned, the training will help the children and their guardians to know where they can report cases of abuse towards children with disabilities in their communities and beyond," he said.

He condemned challenges that children with disabilities are facing in the district such as discrimination, being neglected, keeping them in doors, having difficulties to access information as well as essential amenities such as toilets that are disability friendly.

One of the participants, 13 years old Zione Ndaona, said the training will help her to fight for her rights if excluded whenever there are activities due to her disability.

"We are left out in community activities such as Youth groups, and some extracurricular activities so we will make sure there is a way to include us or create activities that are friendly for us," she said.

She said she can now differentiate between violations of human rights and also when she is being exploited for economic gains.

WOLREC with support from Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency is implementing a project called CSO's Capacity Strengthening Progamme aimed at creating a strong civil society that demands and support to the fulfilment of children’s rights.

The association has strengthened community structures that are essential in creating an enabling environment for children with disabilities and has further developed children's platforms dubbed children corner, where the adolescents meet to discuss and share ideas.