Wenslus Murape
Dr Christine Peta
Disability Issues
HUMAN RIGHTS DAY is observed internationally on December 10 every year.
It is the anniversary of one of the world’s most ground-breaking global pledges — the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).
The UDHR document contains inalienable rights that all people, including those with disabilities, are entitled to simply because they are all human beings.
The UDHR was proclaimed by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in Paris on December 10, 1948, spelling out for the first time fundamental human rights that must be universally protected.
As a standard of achievement for all people of all nations, including those with disabilities, the UDHR is a global blueprint for international, national and local laws and policies, and a bedrock of the 2030 agenda for sustainable development.
However, persons with disabilities worldwide have historically been marginalised in ways that have restricted some of them from participating in society on an equal basis with others, often in contexts where their rights are constantly at risk of being violated, including by families and communities.
Human rights are the path to solutions, playing a critical role as a preventive, protective and transformative force for good. As UN Secretary-General António Guterres has said, “Human rights are the foundation for peaceful, just and inclusive societies.”
The 2024 theme for Human Rights Day is “Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now”. By promoting, protecting and respecting the rights of persons with disabilities, nations worldwide can empower these people and their families.
In recognition of the rights of persons with disabilities, Zimbabwe ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in September 2013.
The convention spells out the fundamental human rights of persons with disabilities and seeks to promote, protect and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by these individuals and to promote respect for their inherent dignity.
On June 9, 2021, President Mnangagwa launched the National Disability Policy, which aligns with both the Constitution of Zimbabwe and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, demonstrating the Government’s commitment to promoting, protecting and respecting the rights of these individuals.
The Government acknowledges that, like everyone else, persons with disabilities have human rights and should occupy space in all facets of life, including employment, education, healthcare, housing, music, sport and disaster risk reduction. The reality is that no one plans to acquire a disability; it can happen to anyone at any time.
Persons with disabilities are, therefore, present in all communities and societies worldwide, including all rural and urban areas of Zimbabwe. The country has since moved from the charity model of disability, which regards persons with disabilities as unfortunate and suffering victims of impairment who should live on handouts, or as sick persons who should assume the morbidity role of passivity.
Instead, Zimbabwe has taken a human rights approach embedded with the social model of disability, acknowledging the inherent dignity, worth and equality of all human beings and the fundamental human rights and freedoms of all people, including those with disabilities.
Indeed, this year’s theme, “Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now”, is a call to acknowledge the importance and relevance of human rights in our everyday lives.
We, therefore, have an opportunity to change negative perceptions about disability by speaking out against hate speech and correcting misinformation, and countering disinformation about disability. Let us all join hands in mobilising action to further strengthen the promotion and protection of the rights of persons with disabilities in all facets of life.
Dr Christine Peta is a disability, public health, policy, international development and research expert. She is the national director of Disability Affairs in Zimbabwe. She can be contacted on: developafrica2020@gmail.com
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