By Andrew Phiri

Balaka, May 28, Mana: Malawi Council for Disability Affairs (MACODA) says duty bearers including district council officers, laws enforcers, judiciary, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and local leaders have the role and responsibility to abide by new Disability Act of 2024 for effective mainstreaming and implementation of programmes related to people with disabilities.

MACODA oriented Balaka District stakeholders on Disability Act on Wednesday as the organization’s Director General, George Chiusiwa, highlighted that previous Disability Acts had several gaps that prevented people with disabilities from receiving appropriate treatment and attention they deserve.

The Handicapped Persons Act which created Malawi Council for Handicapped (MACOHA) was charity and medical orientated and not in compliance with rights based approach to persons with disabilities hence not comprehensive enough.

"As MACODA, we understand the critical roles and responsibilities that local authorities have in implementing policies and programmes targeting persons with disabilities, The 2024 Act therefore demands them to put extra effort and resources on existing programmes in order to achieve inclusiveness on national development," he said.

Chiusiwa therefore said, MACODA through Section 37 of the 2024 Disability Act is mandated to empower people with disabilities to demand equal and fair distribution of services from all stakeholders at national, district council and community levels.

Balaka District Social Welfare Officer, Stanley Chisi said the orientation came at the right time, adding that the orientation will capacitate Balaka District Council to incorporate inclusive development programmes in planning processes.

Chisi therefore called on government to further capacitate the council and other relevant stakeholders with adequate knowledge on the new Act on top of allocating adequate financial resources to promote welfare of people with disabilities.

The 2024 Disability Act among others; promote provisions for parking areas designed for persons with disabilities in car parks, places obligations on the provision and promotion of rights to persons with disabilities, receive complaints, conduct inquiries, and also inspect institutions for non-compliance of the law.

MACODA organized the orientation meeting with stakeholders in Balaka District for the following sectors; police, judiciary, Balaka District Council and CSOs with ultimate goal of raising awareness among the duty bearers on the newly enacted Persons with Disabilities Act.