Chakwera, Atupele sign disability social contract with Fedoma
Malawi Congress Party (MCP) presiden Lazarus Chakwera and United democratic Front (UDF) president Atupele Muluzi have separately signed Disability Social Contract with Federation for Disability Organisations in Malawi (Fedoma).
The contract is social binding by the political parties to confirm their commitment in addressing issues relating to people with disabilities.
Both Chakwera and Muluzi signed the contract on Tuesday morning weeks after President Joyce Banda had also endorsed the Disability Social agreement.
They both, speaking separately after signing, pledged to mainstream disability issues once voted in power on May 20th, 2014.
Chakwera said MCP would ensure people with disabilities are accorded opportunities to contribute to the development of the country.
“It is our wish to see some of the structures that were there before are revamped to ensure people with disabilities are accorded same opportunities as everybody else,” said Chakwera.
On his part, Muluzi noted that the presence of various policies on disability was creating challenges for implementation of various related projects.
Muluzi therefore pledged to institute inclusive growth and governance that will mainstream issues of disabilities to ensure every citizen participate in the country’s development.
Fedoma Executive Director, Action Amos said the Disability Social contract will hold the signatories accountable once elected.
“Main aim is to get to understand what political parties have in store for persons with disabilities as well as their assurance to ensure whatever is in their manifesto is implemented. We have a Disability Act and other provisions such as Disability Fund that the incoming government should commit to fulfil,” said Amos.
Amos said Fedoma aside from signing disability social contract, political parties and those participating in the forthcoming tripartite elections are given opportunity to articulate their manifestos on challenges people with disability face in regards to accessibility of physical infrastructure, access to services and information through debates.
Fedoma once held debates for secretary generals from PP, UDF, MCP and DPP and is conducting civic voter education across the country inorder to get to know how inclusive the political parties and independent candidates’ plans at constituency level are.
Malawians are expected to go to polls on May 20th to elect Parliamentarians, President and Local Government Councillors.
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