The Ministry of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare has launched the 2025 National Disability Policy, replacing the 2006 National Policy on the Equalisation of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities.
The launch took place in Lilongwe, marking a renewed commitment by the government to advance the rights and welfare of persons with disabilities in Malawi.
Speaking during the event, Minister of Gender, Jean Sendeza, emphasised the importance of a strong and vibrant disability movement in building a more inclusive and equitable society.
She highlighted that the ministry is working tirelessly to improve the livelihoods and economic empowerment of persons with disabilities through the introduction of disability-specific measures.
One of the key milestones, she said, is the establishment and implementation of the Disability Trust Fund, which is aimed at providing additional financial and other resources to support disability-related initiatives.
The 2025 policy outlines 10 priority areas, including Prevention, Early Identification and Management, Assistive Technology, Accessibility, Education, Economic Empowerment and Social Protection, Access to Health, Access to Justice, Self-Representation, Sports, Arts, Recreation and Culture, as well as Research and Innovation.
During the launch, World Vision joined the Ministry in reaffirming its commitment to disability inclusion through its Able to Thrive Project.
The organisation is working hand-in-hand with the ministry to improve the welfare of children with disabilities, aiming to enhance the well-being of 4,300 children by 2025.
The project focuses on increasing access to quality and inclusive services that support the cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development of these children.
Meanwhile, Scader Louis, Vice Chairperson of the National Executive Council for the Federation of Disability Organisations in Malawi (FEDOMA), pointed out that persons with disabilities still face various challenges, including limited political representation and inadequate social support systems.
The launch of the 2025 National Disability Policy signals a critical step towards addressing these issues and ensuring no one is left behind in Malawi’s development agenda.
