Minister of Community Development and Social Services, Ms. Doreen Mwamba has today met an Organisation called the Zambia Deaf Youth and Women (ZDYW), to discuss wide-ranging issues affecting them.

The Minister acknowledged the need to enhance advocacy for equal participation of the deaf in national development.

She said deliberate efforts to mainstream activities of deaf people in the country’s development agenda have been put in place and should therefore be promoted.

And ZDYW Executive Director,Mr Frank Musukwa, who led a team to pay a courtesy call on the Minister, said deaf people are integral in the country’s development, and requires support and creation of empowerment opportunities for them.

Mr Musukwa said deaf people are equal partners in development and requires a conducive environment to be created for them to participate in all socioeconomic sectors.