By Chisomo Kambandanga

Nkhata Bay, August 19, Mana: Some chiefs in Nkhata Bay have called on government and property developers in the country to construct buildings which can be easily accessible to people with disabilities.

The chiefs made the sentiments on Friday during a Disabled Women in Development (DIWODE) engagement meeting with traditional leaders on development of awareness campaign messages. 

One of the traditional leaders, Senior Chief Mankhambira noted that some of the buildings in Nkhata Bay are not accessible to people with disabilities despite that they are also contributors to national development.  

"Some structures here in Nkhata Bay are not easily accesible by people with disabilities. That is why we need to strongly enforce the construction of accesible buildings because discrimination or exclusion is a form of violence," he said.

Chief Executive Officer for DIWODE, Sigere Kasasi said government needs to take a leading role in solving the problem by ensuring that public funds should not be used in a way that discriminates against people with disabilities.

District Social Welfare Officer for Nkhata Bay, Macsense Chagomerana said discrimination lowers production capacity of the nation.

"The Malawi 2063 emphasizes that we should ensure that people who are marginalised and disadvantaged are active participants in the design and implementation of development plans," Chagomerana said.

DIWODE is currently implementing a project called Access to Justice in NkhataBay District with support from Disability Rights Fund (DRF).