PEOPLE Living with Disabilities (PWDs) in Gweru have been urged to unite and push for their interests as a group.
Speaking recently at a Gweru Residents and Ratepayers Association (GRRA) organised workshop on governance and rights for PWDs, disability advocate Nigel Tahwa said there was need for unity among PWDs so that they can push for their rights with one voice.
“PWDs are a notable constituency but they need to speak with one voice,” Tahwa said.
“If we are to push for disability friendly facilities we should be strategic and be united. If we are divided we will take years to realise disability friendly pavements and even to push for the full functioning of the disability desk at town hall revenue.”
Speaking during the same event, Disability Voices of Zimbabwe director Nyasha Mahwende said capacitation of PWDs is key in empowering them to realise their goals.
“There is a need for capacitation of PWDs at grassroot level,” she said.
GRRA director Cornelia Selipiwe said PWDs should unite to form a vibrant movement of people with disabilities.
“There is a need to form a serious movement of disability rights,” he said.
“There are various organisations representing PWDs but there is a need for unity to push the agenda of people with disabilities.”
He said some PWDs were not even aware that there was a disability desk at Gweru City Council spearheaded by GRRA.