For How Long? Pass the Bill!

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This month, on December 10, Federation of Disability Organisations in Malawi (FEDOMA) in conjunction with key other stakeholders, including Government, joined the rest of the world in commemoration of the United Nations (UN) International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPWD) at the Upper Stadium in Blantyre. The event has been commemorated annually on December 3 since it was launched in 1992, but was strategically delayed by one week in Malawi.

The IDPWD aims to increase the understanding of the issues around disabilities and attention to the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities. It also aims to increase the awareness of the gains for everybody if disabled persons are integrated into all aspects of political, social, economic and cultural life and raising money for resources for persons with disabilities.  In this context, this year's event was held under the theme "Together for a better world for all; including persons with disabilities in development."

There has been, however, a general consensus before, during and after the event that meaningful inclusion of persons with disabilities in development will be futile if there is no supporting legislation in place in Malawi. For this reason, the core message during the event was the people’s demand for Parliament to pass the long-awaited Disability Bill, technically known as “Equalisation of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities Bill.” The pomp and glamour of the event was spiced by dances, plays, speeches... all carrying this central message: “For How Long? Pass the Bill”

In her speech during the commemoration, Minister of Gender, Children, Disability, Elderly and Community Development, Reen Kachere, made an assurance that "the bill is now at an advanced stage.” She reiterated that the Bill will hugely change the welfare of disabled persons in the country if enacted.

We hope that this time around, the remarks coming from Government were not another political rhetoric as has been the case for the past seven years since the Bill was first drafted. We note that the Minister’s pledge to have the Bill enacted sooner than later brings hope in the lives of many persons with disabilities in the country whose rights continue to be violated in the absence of the law.

In addition, enacting the Bill will mean bringing “Essential Disability Package” closer to the persons with disabilities thereby enhancing their full participation in day-to-day social life. According to the draft Bill, “Essential Disability Package” includes a range of services and support systems that facilitate the full participation of persons with disabilities in human development.

The tabling and passing of the Bill would mark a paradigm shift in the way persons with disability are treated in the country. For this reason, starting from the first week of January 2012, this column will be analysing the Bill Article by Article to illustrate to our readers and policy makers the importance of this Bill in the lives of persons with disabilities when it is enacted.

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