Ministry of Community Development and Social Services Angela Kawandami says Zambia has made strides in the promotion of inclusion, participation and the realization of rights by Persons with Disabilities.

Ms. Kawandami mentioned the increased targets and amounts for social cash transfer and the quarter system of employment as some of the strides made by the country in enhancing the well-being of Persons with Disabilities.

She said Government has also appointed Persons with Disabilities to key positions in various commissions such as the Human Rights Commission, the Zambia Police Commission and the Local Government Commission among others to encourage their participation in decision making.

The Permanent Secretary said this when a delegation from the National Disability Council of Namibia who are in Zambia on an exchange visit paid a courtesy call on her.

“This is a way of ensuring participation in governance and national development and adding a voice from persons with disabilities on the various functions of the commissions,” Ms. Kawandami said.

And National Disability Council of Namibia Chief Executive Officer Angelique Philander said her delegation was in the country to learn and share knowledge on how best the two countries can improving the wellbeing of persons with disabilities.

“Namibia is currently reviewing the legislation framework and we want to learn from Zambia in terms of what is being done with regards to persons with disabilities,” she said.

Meanwhile, Zambia Agency for Persons with Disabilities (ZAPD) Board Chairperson Moses Luneta urged institutions in the disability sector to take advantage of the exchange visit by the National Disability Council of Namibia to identify areas of collaborations.