Regional Disability Roundtable Forum

ABOUT THE ROUNDTABLE FORUM

Organized by the Southern Africa Federation of the Disabled (SAFOD), the Southern Africa Disability Round Table Forum brings together various actors on triennial intervals to reflect and evaluate the work of SAFOD and the disability movement, share information and experiences, assess the progress being achieved by Governments and other duty bearers with regards to the implementation of development policies and programs affecting persons with disabilities within the region. The first forum was held in 2017 from June 20 to 23, at Holiday Inn Airport, Johannesburg, South Africa, and the main focus was on the past three decades.

The next forum was expected to be held in July 2020 but due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the event has been postponed to 21 to 23 November 2022, and will be climaxed by a groundbreaking Regional Assistive Technology Expo from 24 to 26 November 2022. Potential partners willing to be involved as financiers, collaborators, hosts, co-organizers, or merely supporters, are encouraged to get in touch with the SAFOD Secretariat as soon as possible. To learn more about the event, you can download our flyer here» or click banner on the right.

Struggle for Liberation not Won!, Deputy Minister Hendrietta

Opening Ceremony

In her official speech, Ms. Hendrietta Ipeleng Bogopane-Zulu, Deputy Minister for Social Development of the Republic of South Africa, recalled that the struggle for the liberation of persons with disabilities began from the apartheid era when their rights were not recognized. She, however, expressed her disappointment that since the struggles of South African veterans, a high number of persons with disabilities were still living in abject conditions.

Keynote address by Ms. Lilly Ann Elvestad, FFO Secretary

Opening Ceremony

In her Keynote address, Ms. Lilly Ann Elvestad, Secretary-General of Funksjonshemmedes Fellesorganisasjon (FFO), expressed gratitude to participate in the event in which SAFOD had once again demonstrated that the organization was taking shape. She said FFO had partnered with SAFOD since 1999 and expressed her organization's commitment to continue supporting disability causes in the region through SAFOD.

Disability Mainstreaming Status in Swaziland

Thematic Presentations

In Swaziland, it was noted that the issues affecting Persons with disabilities were not being prioritized by the Government because of the poor negative attitude of the government officials. Even the UNCRPD was not yet domesticated hence making it difficult for the movement to hold the government accountable. Continuous advocacy by the Federation of Organizations of Disabled People in Swaziland (FODSWA) was thus recommended.

Disability Mainstreaming Status in Zambia

Thematic Presentations

According to Mr. Nakawa Chiyala, the President of the official affiliate of SAFOD in Zambia, the Federation of Disabled People (ZAFOD), in Zambia ZAFOD had since its inception in 1990, scored several achievements in its efforts to mainstream disability in the country. For example, ZAFOD was duly recognized by the Government, donors, and other relevant stakeholders as a functional umbrella and representative body of persons with disabilities

Disability Mainstreaming Status in Malawi

Thematic Presentations

In Malawi, it was noted that one of the main achievements of the disability movement was successful lobbying for the enactment of the Bill on the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities in 2012, which was preceded by the passing of the National Policy on the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities, which was also championed by the disability movement in the country, led by FEDOMA.

Disability Mainstreaming Status in Zimbabwe

Thematic Presentations

In Zimbabwe, the disability movement had been able to advocate for the adoption of sign language as one of the national languages. Accessibility issues had also been addressed. Participants, however, resolved that the Federation of Organizations of Disabled People in Zimbabwe (FODPZ) – the official national affiliate of SAFOD – ought to intensify advocacy for the implementation of the existing policy framework at any cost.

What Went Amiss? An Evaluation of SAFOD

Thematic Presentations

Ms. Mqikela, while presenting on what went amiss, an evaluation of SAFOD noted that whereas the disability movement had done great work in promoting the rights of persons with disabilities, the lack of proper leadership, governance issues, inadequate partnership, and resources, as well as lack of ownership of initiatives by DPOs and Persons with disabilities was affecting efforts in realizing inclusive development.

Implementation of UN Disability Frameworks

Thematic Presentations

Mr. Tomi Lounio, Programme Analyst Human Rights, UNDP Regional Service Centre for Africa, emphasized the need for Governments and development partners to understand documentary evidence in unearthing issues of concern. This had, for instance, influenced the UNDP in becoming more disability sensitive and is apparently committed to promoting the rights of persons with disabilities.

Financing Mechanism: Experiences from UNFPA SRHR program

Thematic Presentations

Participants also reflected on the experiences of partnership for disability issues in Africa specifically taking lessons from the UNFPA SRHR program for young people with disabilities. Ms. Bakaroudis shared experiences from the DFID funded project on the Prevention of Maternal Deaths in East and Southern Africa that contains a component of SRHR among YPWD.

Creating Early Childhood Inclusive Environments and/or Practices

Thematic Presentations

Using experiences from Ndinogona Inclusive Early Childhood Development Stimulation Program and Promoting Inclusion in ECDE within the CBR programs project, the conference discussed modalities of ensuring children with disabilities have access to quality education. Representatives of UHAMBO, an organization working in Southern Africa to promote the inclusion of children with disabilities ignited a debate on the need to change the mindset in order to achieve inclusive education.