The Honourable Minister, Jean Muonaomuuza Sendeza, was the Guest of Honour at the Crossroads Hotel today, where she officially launched the National Disability Policy. This important initiative aims to promote a more inclusive society for persons with disabilities in Malawi.
The new policy marks a significant step forward, building on the foundations laid by the 2006 National Disability Policy and aligning with international frameworks such as the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
The Policy builds on the 2006 National Policy on Equalisation of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities and aligns with global frameworks, including the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. In particular, the revised policy puts into perspective the medium-term strategy, the Malawi Implementation Plan (MIP-1), which acknowledges persons with disabilities as a vulnerable population that needs specific interventions for building their resilience and livelihoods from a human rights perspective.
The new policy is expected to guide efforts towards addressing these challenges still being faced by persons with disabilities and promoting greater disability inclusion in Malawi’s developmental plans through to 2030.
The review process involved consultations with stakeholders such as MACODA, the Ministry of Education, Fedoma and other organisations for persons with disabilities, individual persons with disabilities, their families, caregivers, Malawi Against Physical Disabilities, Office of the President and Cabinet and cvil society organisation.