People living with disabilities deserve respect - Sumaili

Reverend Godfridah Sumaili By NATION REPORTER PEOPLE living with disabilities are not treated with the respect and dignity they deserve, says Minister of National Guidance and Religious Affairs Reverend Godfridah Sumaili.

She said Government was tirelessly working with communities and various stakeholders in ensuring that the mind-set towards persons with disabilities is changed.

Speaking during a media on the sidelines of the 6th CommunityBased Rehabilitation (CBR) Africa Conference, to be held in Lusaka, Rev Sumaili said Government had upped its efforts in ensuring fairness.

“As a ministry we are concerned that persons living with disabilities are at times not treated with respect and dignity, many times they are abused physically, emotionally even sexually.

“Government is advocating for equitable resources in learning institutions and equity in employment opportunities and we want to ensure that all buildings and facilities should be accessible to persons with disability.” she said.

She said the Ministry was working with public and private institutions especially in the area of health and education sectors to ensure that the concerns were addressed adding that people with disabilities need to be accorded the respect and dignity they deserve,

“The sole existence of the ministry has been to facilitate the promotion of national values and principles and to actualise the declaration of Zambia as a Christian nation while we uphold individual persons rights to freedom of worship which is enshrined in the constitution,”

She said the Ministry was promoting fairness and impartiality so that people with disabilities are given consideration in the Government’s empowerment programs and resource allocation.

Rev Sumaili said the church should ensure that persons living with disabilities are catered for in terms of facilities especially the language used in preaching the world of God.

“We are fighting for nondiscrimination and without prejudice respective of their abilities or gender, we know there are a few churches that preach in sign language,” she said.

Meanwhile, Ms Sumaili said parents with children living with disabilities should not hide them, they should register with relevant authorities so that they are able to access and benefit from services put in place for them by the government.