ZAMBIA FEDERATION OF THE DISABLED
(ZAFOD)

PROJECT TITLE:
DISABILITY ACTION ON VOTER ADVOCACY (DAVA)

A DISABLED PEOPLES ORGANISATIONS’ (DPOs)
JOINT PROGRAMME

REPORT TO THE:
EUROPEAN UNION – ELECTORAL UNIT
FOR THE PERIOD
26th OCTOBER TO 2nd DECEMBER 2001.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

THE COORDINATOR
ZAMBIA FEDERATION OF THE DISABLED
P.O. BOX 35794, LUSAKA
TELEFAX: 286529/34
CELL: 097-796895
E-MAIL: [email protected] [2]

PHYSICAL ADDRESS:
ZNAD HOUSE, PLOT LUS/10437, CHINIKA AREA, OFF LOS ANGELES ROAD,
NEAR NEW KANYAMA SITE AND SERVICE TOWNSHIP,
WEST OF SOWETO MARKET, LUSAKA.
1. CONTENTS:

Acknowledgements…………………………………………………………… 3

Introduction……………………………………………………………………… 4

Project Scope and Objectives.….………………………………………… 4

Methodology used on Project Implementation..…………………… 5

Problems Encountered……………………………..…………………………. 9

Income and Expenditure Statement …………………………………… 9

Appendices………………………………………………………………………… 11

· Questionnaire1: Information from ECZ
· Questionnaire2: Information from Polling Stations
· Programme for Launch of DAVA
· ZAFOD Vice Chairperson’s Speech
· Guest of Honour’s Speech

2. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Zambia Federation of the Disabled (ZAFOD) is grateful to the European Union (EU) – Electoral Unit for financing this project dubbed Disability Action on Voter Advocacy.

Our thanks also go to the International Foundation on Election Systems (IFES) through Action on Disability and Development (ADD) for co-funding this project.

We also wish to extend our thanks to all the people and organisations – too numerous to mention - who have been involved and still are in the implementation of this project and without whose support the project wouldn’t have been as successful as it has been so far.

Felix Simulunga
ZAFOD Co-ordinator

3. INTRODUCTION

Zambia Federation of the Disabled (ZAFOD) is a human rights umbrella organisation of Disabled Peoples' Organisations in Zambia whose major objective is to promote the welfare of persons with disabilities and whose vision is to see to it that persons with disabilities attain equalisation of opportunities that are generally available in society and are necessary for the fundamental elements of living, including family life, education, employment, housing, financial and personal security, participation in social and political groups, religious activity, sports, intimate and sexual relationships, access to public facilities, freedom of movement and the general style of daily living.

It was in trying to keep in line with our vision that ZAFOD approached the European Union for supplementary funding of this project so that disabled persons could also participate in the electoral process of this country especially the 2001 Tripartite Elections.

4. PROJECT SCOPE AND OBJECTIVES:

The activities of this project were designed to take place in five (5) Provinces of Zambia namely: Southern, Eastern, Central, Lusaka and Copperbelt.

The project objectives as supported by the European Union - Electoral Unit are:

a) To enable ZAFOD carry out a survey on the accessibility of the polling stations to persons with disabilities in the catchment area as highlighted above, as well as

b) To increase voter education on the importance of persons with disabilities’ participation in the electoral process.

This project is spearheaded by the Zambia Federation of the Disabled (ZAFOD) as an umbrella organization of associations of and for persons with disabilities in Zambia.

The chief participating organisations in this project include Zambia National Association of the Physically Handicapped (ZNAPH), Zambia National Association of the Partially Sighted (ZNAPS), Zambia National Association of the Hearing Impaired (ZNAHI), Zambia National Association of the Deaf (ZNAD), Zambia National Association of Disabled Women (ZNADWO), Zambia Association for Children and Adults with Learning Disabilities (ZACALD) and Zambia National Federation of the Blind (ZANFOB).

However, the ownership of the project rests with the entire disability movement.

5. METHODOLOGY USED ON PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION

The methodology used to ensure that the project was a success involved a series of activities such as planning meetings, preparation and dissemination of voter education and campaign materials, launch of the project, survey of polling stations as well as sensitisation through drama as follows:

PLANNING MEETINGS:

During this phase, a number of meetings were held aimed at charting the direction of the project.

Some of the issues discussed during these meetings were the theme of the Project and sharing of tasks among participating organisations. It was at one of these meetings that the theme of the Project "Democracy – A Birthright For All" depicting a society where persons with disabilities are not excluded but included in the democratic process of the nation, was arrived at.

In the implementation of this project, ZAFOD undertook measures aimed at ensuring that all stakeholders were involved to some extent in the implementation of the project, that the project funds were used specifically for the project and that sufficient measures were put in place to protect the project funds from any form of criminal activities.

PREPARATION OF VOTER EDUCATION MATERIALS:

This was the biggest time consuming phase where we needed to ensure that the right tools for the success of the project were produced.

a) One hundred and forty (140) T-shirts were printed with the message reading as follows: Back: Zambia Federation of the Disabled. Disability Action on Voter Advocacy – 2001 Tripartite Elections – Disabled Peoples Organisations Joint Programme. Sponsored by the European Union (EU) – Electoral Unit. Front: Working to Enhance Voter Education and Accessibility to the Electoral Process Among Persons with Disabilities – Democracy: A Birthright for All.

b) Six (6) banners were printed some of which were used in the launch and others in the voter education exercise. Some of the messages in the banners read as follows: Disability Action on Voter Advocacy (DAVA) - (A Joint Disabled Peoples’ Organisation Programme). Regardless of our Disabilities, We are Citizens of this Nation and part of the World Community. It is our democratic Right to Vote and Elect our Civic Leaders. We demand Equal Opportunities and Inclusion in all Developmental Programmes. Vote Wisely – Vote for Leaders with Disability Interest at Heart

c) ZAFOD has developed a Standard Manifesto on Disability, which has been and is still being marketed to Political Parties for adoption in their parties.

d) A jingle has been composed and is in the process of being recorded in English, Bemba and Nyanja, which will be used in the airing of advertisements on radio and Television.

e) Four advertisements are being worked on (2 for TV and the other 2 for Radio) and will be ready this week for airing on Television and radio.

f) ZAFOD has also produced a free copy newspaper called Disability Herald, which is aimed at increasing voter awareness among persons with disabilities as well as non-disabled persons.

LAUNCH OF THE PROJECT:

The project was finally launched on 27th November 2001 – one month from the date of elections – at the American Dome at the Lusaka Agricultural and Commercial Show Grounds. The launch was graced by Commissioner Lucy Kasanga from the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) on behalf of the Chairperson of the ECZ – Judge Bobby Bwalya. Speeches were presented by ZAFOD Vice Chairperson Mr. Stephen Njovu, Zambia National Federation of the Blind (ZANFOB) Chairperson Mr. Wamundila Waliuya, Commissioner Lucy Kasanga from ECZ and Mr. James Piriou from the European Union – Electoral Unit in that order.

A vote of thanks was given by the ZNAPH Executive Director Mrs Constance Sachelo from Ndola. The speeches were spiced in between with entertainment from a drama group called Tagwamo Theatre Club.

Among the people and institutions invited for the launch were political parties, the print and electronic media, the Electoral Commission of Zambia, the Church, etc.

The launch, which started around 13:00 hours ended at 18:00 hours after which there was a Workshop for Polling Station Surveyors at the same venue.

SENSITISATION THROUGH DRAMA

A Drama group called Tagwamo Arts Theatre Ensemble (TATE) was contracted to compose a Play with the theme “Democracy – A Birth Right for All) which has been used in the voter education campaign exercise. The play will also be aired on TV and radio.

From Wednesday 28th November up to Saturday 1st December 2001, the drama club then embarked on sensitisation of the local communities through drama on the need for persons with disabilities to participate in the electoral process.

No Date: Day Name of Place:
1 28.11.01 Wednesday Matero Market
2 28.11.01 Wednesday Chaisa Market
3 29.11.01 Thursday Garden Market
4 29.11.01 Thursday Bauleni Market
5 29.11.01 Thursday Chilanga Market
6 30.11.01 Friday Kanyama Market
7 30.11.01 Friday Chawama Market
8 30.11.01 Friday Chilenje Market
9 01.12.01 Saturday Kaunda Square Market
10 01.12.01 Saturday Kuku Market

In each of these places, people were entertained with songs, comedies and a full play on disability issues after which there was a pep talk on the need for every stakeholder to include persons with disabilities in the mainstream activities and decision making.

SURVEYING ON ACCESSIBILITY OF POLLING STATIONS:

Before elections took place, it was deemed appropriate to establish whether persons with disabilities would be able to vote without any hindrances. In this regard ZAFOD organised 21 surveyors with various disabilities and embarked on a surveying exercise in 5 provincial headquarters namely Ndola, Kabwe, Lusaka, Chipata and Livingstone with a total of 744 polling stations as follows.

List of Surveyors

No Name Disability Organisation District
1 Patrick Nduluma Deaf ZNAD Chipata
2 Joseph Mbewe Partially Sighted ZNAHI Chipata
3 James Kapembwa Deaf ZNAD Chipata
4 Mwamba Mumba S. L. Interpreter ZNAD Chipata
5 Christine Kumwenda Physically Disabled ZNADWO Kabwe
6 Andrew Shilika Blind ZANFOB Kabwe
7 Serah Bretherton Physically Disabled DIF Kabwe
8 A. Kalamani Guide ZANFOB Kabwe
9 Grace Mwanza Deaf ZNAD Kabwe
10 John K Miyato Hearing Impaired ZNAHI Livingstone
11 Wamundila Waliuya Blind ZANFOB Livingstone
12 Judith Siyomunji Able-bodied ZAFOD Livingstone
13 Misheck Muleta Guide ZANFOB Livingstone
14 David Mukwasa Physically Disabled DISACARE Lusaka
15 Vinod K. Pande Parent ZACALD Lusaka
16 Chola Kafwabulula Physically Disabled DIF Lusaka
17 Lango Sinkamba Physically Disabled DIF Lusaka
18 Emmanuel C. Banda Physically Disabled ZNAPH Ndola
19 Stephen Njovu Physically Disabled ZNAPH Ndola
20 Derllings Moloshi Physically Disabled DEAZ Ndola
21 Constance Sachelo Physically Disabled ZNAPH Ndola

Town No. of Polling Stations
Chipata 149
Kabwe 99
Livingstone 51
Lusaka 292
Ndola 153
Total 744

To effectively carry out the exercise, Questionnaires were designed for collection of information (see attached copies). The surveying exercise started on 28th November and ended on 1st December 2001 when surveyors were expected to be back.

From the preliminary results received so far, not all polling stations in these designated areas were surveyed mainly due to:

a) Limited time,
b) Lack of adequate resources to effectively carry out the exercise
c) Most places were difficult to locate
d) Some polling stations were found locked

6. PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED:

Generally, this project had no major/great problems except that:

a) At the time of the implementation of this programme, ZAFOD’s administrative financial base had run low and the Secretariat was busy trying to come up with other programmes – that did not include this project - to sustain the administrative needs of the organisation.

b) Because of pressure on other projects, ZAFOD was not able to update the EU on the progress of the project in time.

c) Voter education costs such as production and airing of advertisements on TV and radio, production of posters, leaflets and fliers, etc were underestimated.

d) Transport by ZAFOD to coordinate the project and other projects that it is currently running was overstretched due to the fact that ZAFOD has only one vehicle.

7. INCOME AND EXPENDITURE STATEMENT: RATE: US$1 = ZMK3,800

INCOME US$ ZMK
EUROPEAN UNION GRANT 20,105 76,400,000

EXPENDITURE
A ZAFOD ADMINISTRATIVE & PERSONNEL COSTS Budget ($) Budget (K) Actual ($) Actual (K)
1 Per-diem/Salary for ZAFOD Staff 2,000 7,600,000 412 1,566,300
2 Postage & Telecommunication 200 760,000 0 0
3 Office Supplies (e.g. stationery, etc) 400 1,520,000 384 1,458,000
4 Subscriptions (Newspapers, etc) 200 760,000 0 0
5 Fuel, Lubricants & Vehicle Maintenance 800 3,040,000 126 478,000
6 Films and Processing Costs 45 171,000 0 0
7 Bank Charges 60 228,000 0 0
Subtotal 3,705 14,079,000 922 3,502,300

B ONE DAY SURVEYORS WORKSHOP
8 Participants' travel costs 1,500 5,700,000 261 990,000
9 Participants' meals 1,250 4,750,000 361 1,370,000
10 Participants' accommodation 1,500 5,700,000 0 0
11 Trainers's fees 140 532,000 0 0
12 Rapporteur's fees 40 152,000 0 0
13 Meals for Trainers and Rapporteurs 45 171,000 0 0
14 Transport for Trainers and Rapporteurs 30 114,000 0 0
15 Sign Language Interpreters' fees 44 167,200 21 80,000
16 Guides for blind participants 40 152,000 0 0
17 Accommodation for Personal Assistants 60 228,000 0 0
18 Meals--Interpreters & Assistants for the blind 100 380,000 0 0
19 Transport--Interpreters & Assistants 40 152,000 18 70,000
20 Hire of Mini-bus for travel to workshop site 400 1,520,000 0 0
21 Hire of Venue 95 361,000 111 420,000
22 Training Materials 290 1,102,000 0 0
Subtotal 5,574 21,181,200 771 2,930,000

C VOTER EDUCATION COSTS
23 Special editions of ZAFOD Newspaper 4,000 15,200,000 642 2,440,000
24 Nationwide distribution of ZAFOD Newspaper 2,340 8,892,000 0 0
25 Posters/Leaflets/Brochures, etc 400 1,520,000 1,711 6,500,000
26 Transcription into Braille and tape production 200 760,000 0 0
27 Advertisements (TV, Radio, Newspapers, etc) 3,500 13,300,000 3,914 14,873,470
28 Design and Production of Adverts 800 3,040,000 1,563 5,940,000
29 Mobile Voter Education 360 1,368,000 132 500,000
30 Computer, Printer & Photocopier for project 2,000 7,600,000 6,540 24,853,480
Subtotal 13,600 51,680,000 14,502 55,106,950

D COORDINATING COMMITTEE MEETINGS
31 Members' travel costs 120 456,000 132 500,000
32 Members' meals 60 228,000 20 77,000
33 Members' accommodation costs 0 0 0 0
34 Sign Language Interpreters' fees 60 228,000 11 40,000
35 Meals for Interpreters & Assistants 40 152,000 0 0
Subtotal 280 1,064,000 162 617,000

E POLLING STATION SURVEY
36 Cameras for Polling Station Surveyors 900 3,420,000 655 2,489,460
37 Surveyors T-shirts and Caps 350 1,330,000 921 3,500,000
38 Design of Polling Station Survey Evaluation Forms 0 0 0 0
39 Travel costs for Surveyors 1,560 5,928,000 1,053 4,000,000
40 Meals for Surveyors 750 2,850,000 1,158 4,400,000
41 Communication to headquarters 260 988,000 0 0
42 Sign Language Interpreters 110 418,000 63 240,000
43 Personal Assistants (Guides, etc) 50 190,000 32 120,000
44 Accommodation for Surveyors 0 0 758 2,880,000
Subtotal 3,980 15,124,000 4,639 17,629,460

F REPORT ON POLLING STATIONS ACCESSIBILITY
45 Participants' travel costs 300 1,140,000 0 0
46 Participants' meals 250 950,000 0 0
47 Participants' accommodation 300 1,140,000 0 0
48 Rapporteurs' fees 0 0 0 0
49 Meals for Rapporteurs 0 0 0 0
50 Transport for Rapporteurs 0 0 0 0
51 Sign Language Interpreters' fees 0 0 0 0
52 Press Conference 0 0 0 0
Subtotal 850 3,230,000 0 0

GRAND TOTAL 27,989 106,358,200 20,996 79,785,710

BALANCE -891 -3,385,710

ZAMBIA FEDERATION OF THE DISABLED
(ZAFOD)

DISABILITY ACTION ON
VOTER ADVOCACY
(DAVA)

A Disabled Peoples' Organisations (DPOs)
Joint Programme

QUESTIONNAIRE OF A SURVEY
ON THE ACCESSIBILITY OF POLLING STATIONS IN ZAMBIA
TO PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

2001 TRIPARTITE ELECTIONS

Sponsored by the European Union (EU) - Electoral Unit

DEMOCRACY:
A BIRTHRIGHT FOR ALL

FOR ELECTORAL COMMISSION OF ZAMBIA (ECZ)
1. Personal Assistance:What arrangements have been put in place by the ECZ to ensure that persons with disabilities receive the assistance of their choice on Election Day?r Noner Personal Assistantsr Sign Language Interpretersr Other, Please specify ……………………………………………………………………
2. Queuing:What measures have been put in place to protect persons with disabilities from having to stay on queues for longer hours?r Having their own queuer Giving priority to voters with disabilitiesr Other, Please specify……………………………………………………………………..
3. Deaf Persons:a) Is Electoral information on TV accessible to deaf persons?r Yes r No b) If No (in 3 (a) above), why?r Not aware of the existence of deaf personsr Deaf persons can access information from friendsr Lack of resources to interpret television based electoral issues in Sign Languager Other, Please specify……………………………………………………………c) Are the polling station assistants able to communicate using Sign Language for the sake of deaf persons?r Yes r No
4. Partially Sighted Persons:a) Are voter education materials available in large print for the partially sighted persons?r Yes r No b) If No (in 4 (a) above), why?r Not aware of the existence of partially sighted personsr Partially sighted persons can access information through friendsr Lack of resources to have electoral publications in large printr Other, Please specify………………………………………………………….
5. Blind Persons:a) Are there any measures put in place to assist blind people in casting their votes?r Yesr No b) If Yes (in 5 (a) above), please specify……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………c) How will secrecy of blind voters be guaranteed on polling day? …………………………………………………………………………………………………...………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
6. Physically Disabled Persons:a) Will a wheelchair be able to completely go into the polling booth?r Yes r No b) If No (in 6 (a) above), why? …………………………………………………………..……………………………….……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….c) Will a person in a wheelchair be able to gain access to the slot in the ballot box without being assisted?r Yes r No
7. Proxy Voting:a) Is there a provision in the Electoral Act for people to vote by proxy?r Yesr Nob) If No, Why not?……………………………………………………………………………..……………………………………………………………………………………………………c) If Yes, Please specify who qualifies to vote by proxy.………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………………….
8. General Information:a) Roughly, how many polling station assistants/ushers will be located at each polling station?…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….…………………………………………………………………………………………………….…………………………………………………………………………………………………….b) Are there any arrangements to put in place any furniture such as benches in the polling stations for the sake of persons with disabilities who cannot stand on queues for a long time?r Yes r No

ZAMBIA FEDERATION OF THE DISABLED
(ZAFOD)

DISABILITY ACTION ON
VOTER ADVOCACY
(DAVA)

A Disabled Peoples' Organisations (DPOs)
Joint Programme

QUESTIONNAIRE OF A SURVEY
ON THE ACCESSIBILITY OF POLLING STATIONS IN ZAMBIA
TO PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

2001 TRIPARTITE ELECTIONS

Sponsored by the European Union (EU) - Electoral Unit

DEMOCRACY:
A BIRTHRIGHT FOR ALL

SECTION A: GENERAL INFORMATION1. Surveyors' Names a) ………..……………..…………………………………………………………………………………..b) ………..……………..…………………………………………………………………………………..c) ………….….………..……………………………………………………………………………………d) ………..……………..…………………………………………………………………………………..2. Province …………………………………………………………………………………………………..3. Polling District……………………………………………………………………………………………4. Constituency……………………………………………………………………………………………..5. Polling Station Name………………………………………………………………………………….6. Ward…………………………..…………………………………………………………………………..

SECTION B: POLLING STATION ACCESSIBILITY:7. Did you have any difficulties in locating the polling station? r Yesr No8. If Yes (in 7 above), why?r Not easily accessible by road r No knowledge of its existence by the local communityr Other, please specify……………………………………………………..9. Is the polling station physically accessible to persons with mobility problems? r Yesr No10. If the answer is No (in 9 above), what are the problematic areas? r Polling station has steps r Polling station has narrow doors or corridors r Polling station on second or higher floor without a liftr Far away from the general community11. What type of road leads to the polling station?r Gravelr Tarmacr Footpath12. Is the road (in 11 above), dry or wet generally?r Dryr Wet13. How far was the polling station from the main business centre, i.e. from town?r Farr Near14. How far was the polling station from the homestead?r Farr Near15. Did you see any ramps at the polling station itself?r Yesr No16. How wide was the entrance to the polling station itself?r Wide for a wheelchairr Not wide enough17. Were there any public conveniences (toilets) near the polling stations?r Yesr No18. If Yes (in 17 above), where they accessible to:A person in a wheelchair Yes r No rA person with crutches Yes r No rA blind person Yes r No rA person with poor mobility Yes r No r

SECTION C: PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES:19. What is your disability?r Blindr Partially sightedr Deafr Hearing Impairedr Mentally Illr Mentally Retardedr Physically Disabledr Multiple Disability20. Are you a registered voter?r Yes r No21. If No (in 20 above), why?r Voter Registration Centre not Accessibler Not interested in politicsr Other, Please specify……………………………………………………………………….22. If Yes (in 20 above), have you ever voted before?r Yes r No23. If No (in 22 above), why?r Only registered recentlyr Mobility problems (e.g. lack of wheelchair, etc)r Lack of Personal Assistants (e.g. guide, etc)r Other, Please specify………………………………………………………………………24. What level of education have you attained?r Noner Primary School Levelr Junior Secondary School levelr Senior Secondary School levelr Tertiary Education Level
SECTION D: SURVEYORS25. With your findings, do you think many persons with disabilities will participate in this year's tripartite elections regarding accessibility to polling stations and the electoral process?r Yesr No 26. If No (in 25 above), what do you think should be done by the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) before the 2001 Tripartite Elections?r Shift inaccessible polling stations to accessible roomsr Provide Personal Assistants to Voters with Disabilitiesr Make Ramps for Persons on wheelchairs r It is too late to do anythingr Other, please specify………………………………………………………………………..……………………………………………………………………………..………………………………..……………………………………………………………………………..……………………………….. ……………………………………………………………………………..……………………………….. ……………………………………………………………………………..………………………………..
ZAMBIA FEDERATION OF THE DISABLED (ZAFOD)

LAUNCH OF DISABILITY ACTION ON VOTER ADVOCACY (DAVA)

A Disabled Peoples' Organizations Joint Programme

2001 TRIPARTITE ELECTIONS

American Dome – Agricultural And Commercial
Show Grounds, Lusaka

DATE: TIME: SUBJECT:

27/11/01 09:00 – 09:30 PROJECT UPDATE AND OUTLINE
09:30 – 10:30 1ST SESSION – TRAINING OF SURVEYORS
10:30 – 11:00 TEA BREAK
11:00 – 12:30 2ND SESSION – TRAINING OF SURVEYORS
12:30 – 14:00 LUNCH
14:00 – 15:00 PROJECT LOGISTICS & END OF WORKSHOP

15:00 – 15:30 ARRIVAL OF INVITED GUESTS
15:30 – 15:50 ARRIVAL OF GUEST OF HONOUR
15:50 – 16:05 NATIONAL ANTHEM AND WELCOME REMARKS
16:05 – 16:35 ENTERTAINMENT
16:35 – 16:45 SPEECH BY ZAFOD CHAIRPERSON
16:45 – 16:55 SPEECH BY ZANFOB CHAIRPERSON
16:55 – 17:05 SPEECH BY ADD REPRESENTATIVE
17:05 – 17:15 SPEECH BY THE EU REPRESENTATIVE
17:15 – 17:25 SPEECH BY THE GUEST OF HONOUR
17:25 – 17:45 REFRESHMENTS AND SNACKS
17:45 – 17:50 DEPARTURE OF GUEST OF HONOUR
17:50 – 18:00 DEPARTURE OF ALL INVITED GUESTS

SPEECH DELIVERED BY

THE VICE CHAIRPERSON – ZAMBIA FEDERATION
OF THE DISABLED (ZAFOD)

MR. STEPHEN NJOVU

ON THE OCCASION OF THE OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF THE

DISABILITY ACTION ON VOTER ADVOCACY (DAVA)

AT THE AMERICAN DOME –
AGRICULTURAL AND COMMERCIAL SHOW
GROUNDS IN LUSAKA

ON 27TH NOVEMBER, 2001

AT 15:00 HOURS

¨ The Guest of Honour – Chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Zambia – Judge Bobby Bwalya

¨ Members of the Diplomatic Corp

¨ Representatives of development agencies, governmental institutions and related bodies;

¨ Fellow colleagues in the disability movement;

¨ Members of the press;

¨ Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen.

On behalf of the Zambia Federation of the Disabled (ZAFOD) Executive Board and persons with disabilities in Zambia, it is my great honour and indeed my privilege to welcome you all to this launch of the Disability Action on Voter Advocacy (DAVA).

I also extend a special warm welcome to our guest of honour, Judge Bobby Bwalya from the Electoral Commission of Zambia who at short notice has still managed to be with us.

In the first place, allow me to briefly introduce ZAFOD to you.

ZAFOD is an umbrella body of organisations of and for persons with various disabilities in Zambia. It was founded in 1985 when persons with disabilities saw the need to speak with one voice. It got registered in 1990 as a non-political, non-profit and non-governmental organization with the principle objective of improving the welfare of persons with disabilities throughout Zambia. By virtue of this, let me take this opportunity to state here that ZAFOD does not support any single political party but works with all political parties to ensure that they incorporate issues of persons with disabilities in their party structures and programmes.

It is common knowledge to all of us in this country that disabled people are the poorest of the poor, living lives of disadvantage and deprivation. Society has continued to view disability, as a problem of the individual and that it is the individual who has to change or be changed by professionals through rehabilitation and cure. But through our disability movement, we the disabled people are now describing from our own experience and knowledge how it is the economic and social barriers, which are the source of the problems we come across every day of our lives. These barriers are so widespread and so entrenched that we are prevented from enjoying a good quality life for ourselves. The barriers are found at every level of our societies, from the family, through social groups, commerce and industry and right up to our rulers in government. Through our movement, we are therefore struggling to be part and equal members of societies. It is not an easy struggle; it is a war of liberation. We are fighting an intricate and complicated problem that since time immemorial has been entrenched in our society.

Through our movement, we have come to realise that to make any progress in our struggle of achieving equal opportunities, we have to be masters of our own destiny; to participate in the decision making process of our nation and to choose people that we can work with in having a society that is free from barriers. A society that includes all and excludes none because disabled people are an important part of the diversity of this country.

This diversity should be celebrated and not excluded and therefore any political party, individual, or system that excludes disabled people, will be doing so at its own peril because we disabled persons are now on the move. On the move from being spectators to participants in the democratic process of our country.

We demand from any party that will form the next government, to as a matter of priority do the following:

a) Create a Ministry of Disability Affairs and Development, headed by a person with a disability, to coordinate programmes of and for persons with disabilities;

b) Allocate ten percent (10%) of the national budget to the aforementioned ministry for carrying out programmes of and for persons with disabilities;

c) Nominate three (3) persons with disabilities as members of parliament out of the eight (8) nominated members by the Republican President;

d) Ensure that constitutional changes to take place next year should make provisions for 10% of seats in parliament to belong to persons with disabilities elected by their fellow persons with disabilities.

The 10% emanates from the fact that in every given population, one out of ten people are persons with disabilities.

As we cast our votes on 27th December 2001, we the disabled persons together with our children, wives or husbands and friends will go to the polls to vote for leaders that have our aspirations at heart.

This programme – Disability Action on Voter Advocacy (DAVA) that we are launching today - will give persons with disabilities in Zambia the opportunity to be involved in the electoral process of this country.

The activities of this project will take place in five (5) provinces of Zambia namely: Southern, Eastern, Central, Lusaka and Copperbelt.

The project will be spearheaded by the Zambia Federation of the Disabled (ZAFOD) as an umbrella organization of and for persons with disabilities in Zambia. These organisations include Zambia National Association of the Physically Handicapped (ZNAPH), Zambia National Association of the Partially Sighted (ZNAPS), Zambia National Association of the Hearing Impaired (ZNAHI), Zambia National Association of the Deaf (ZNAD), Zambia National Association of Disabled Women (ZNADWO), and Zambia Association for Children and Adults with Learning Disabilities (ZACALD). The Zambia National Federation of the Blind (ZANFOB) have also been incorporated in the project to represent blind persons in Zambia.

The project has three main objectives namely:

a) Surveying the accessibility of polling stations
b) Voter education
c) Election observation

Regarding voter education, ZAFOD will run a specific voter education process specifically for persons with disabilities in all the five provinces. The purpose of the voter education is mainly to highlight the importance of citizens’ participation in the elections.

ZAFOD will also attend and participate in the meetings and other programmes of the mainstream society to familiarise itself with the election issues and to raise its concerns regarding the electoral process.

ZAFOD will also be proactive by bringing up issues about disability development with the aspiring candidates. In this regard, we have developed a manifesto on disability that we will be presenting to all political parties so that they become familiar with the needs and rights of persons with disabilities.

In addition to convening meetings with various stakeholders, we have also developed voter education materials and activities targeting citizens with disabilities. These materials and activities include, but not limited to, posters, drama performances, radio and tv advertisements, etc.

We are hopeful that this project will also raise the profile of disabled citizens, and will effectively impact on the attitudes of the mainstream society towards citizens with disabilities.

ZAFOD has also organized an election observation team of 50 persons with disabilities in the five designated provinces.

The issue of disability access to the electoral process will be scrutinized before and after elections through advising the government and the electoral commission.

The Disabled Peoples' Organizations (DPOs) in Zambia will issue an election observation statement after the elections. Following the elections, the DPO’s will also seek to meet with other monitoring organizations, and with election officials, to share their observations and experiences, and to chart a course for next steps to promote greater electoral access and participation in future elections.

Some of the expected outputs from this project are that:

a) It will form a platform for persons with disabilities to lobby for inclusion in all the mainstream activities in Zambia.

b) With the fresh experience of election observation, persons with disabilities through ZAFOD will further develop plans and look at how to include persons with disabilities' interests into the national constitution, which we believe is likely to be reviewed in 2002.

c) Disabled persons will also be generally aware of their rights to vote and the importance of exercising their right to vote, as well as becoming more involved in the political process of this country.

d) The profile raised by the participation of persons with disabilities will have an everlasting impression on the government and the mainstream society. Consequently, the mainstream society will be influenced to change their negative attitudes towards persons with disabilities.

Finally allow me to thank the International Foundation on Election Systems (IFES), through Action on Disability and Development (ADD) and the European Union – Electoral Unit for sponsoring this project. I urge other developmental agencies to take a leaf from these organisations and support programmes of and for persons with disabilities in Zambia so that we can also live a life of inclusion and not exclusion.

Thank you.