Zambia Federation of Disability Organisations - ZAFOD

15/10/2026

14/10/2026

CHINSALI MUNICIPAL COUNCIL
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
CHINSALI MUNICIPAL COUNCIL REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO INCLUSIVITY AND
ACCESSIBILITY
(CHINSALI, 13th October, 2026): Chinsali Municipal Council has reaffirmed its
commitment to promoting inclusivity and ensuring that persons with disabilities can
access the Chinsali Civic Centre and participate in local governance.
The Council recognises that an inclusive public service begins with removing barriers
that may prevent some members of the community from accessing services and
participating in public affairs. In this regard, the Civic Centre has ramps in place to
facilitate access to Council offices for persons with mobility challenges.
The Council also has Braille materials to improve access to information for persons with
visual impairments and support their participation in local governance and decision-
making processes.
These measures reflect the importance of ensuring that persons with disabilities have
opportunities to access public information, engage with the local authority and
contribute to decisions affecting their communities.
The Local Authority recognises that disability should not be a barrier to accessing
public services or participating in community development. Every resident deserves
to be treated with dignity and given a fair opportunity to engage with the local
authority.
Chinsali Municipal Council will continue working to improve accessibility, address
barriers to participation and ensure that persons with disabilities are increasingly
included in public consultations, decision-making and community development
processes.
Issued by:
Lolavye Simukoko (Mr)
Public Relations Manager
CHINSALI MUNICIPAL COUNCIL
Cell: (+260) 964 911 267
Chinsali Municipal Council
P.O. BOX 480099
Chinsali, Zambia.
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.chinsalicouncil.gov.zm
Image: Lolavye Signature

10/10/2026

Some highlights from the training and formation of the Community Based Inclusive Development (CBID) Network in Mpongwe District

08/10/2026

👁️ WORLD SIGHT DAY 2026 | INVEST IN EYE HEALTH, INVEST IN ZAMBIA

This World Sight Day, we are calling for greater investment in eye health so that everyone in Zambia can access the care they need to learn, work, participate and thrive.

An estimated 1.4 million people in Zambia were living with vision impairment in 2020. Yet, investing in eye care could generate an estimated US$33.3 million in economic benefits for the country by 2030.

Simple interventions such as glasses, magnifiers and cataract surgery can transform lives. When eye care is accessible, children can learn better, adults can access employment opportunities, and people can participate more fully in their communities.

This World Sight Day, we are urging Government, donors, the private sector and other stakeholders to strengthen investment in eye health, particularly at primary healthcare level, bringing services closer to the communities that need them most.

💡 Eye health is not just a health priority, it is an investment in Zambia’s people, productivity and development.

Let’s turn commitments into action and make eye care accessible, available and affordable for everyone.

📄 Read the full press release by our partner, Sightsavers here: [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Q7T82n9qgNzXIxBNyT_bfYtALQ6kJPl6/view?usp=drivesdk]

06/10/2026

ZAFOD convened a Post-Election Stakeholder Engagement Meeting bringing together representatives of Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) from all 10 provinces, the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ), and the Zambia Agency for Persons with Disabilities (ZAPD).

The meeting provided an opportunity to review disability inclusion in the 2026 electoral process. OPDs commended ECZ for the progress made in promoting disability inclusion compared to previous elections, while highlighting areas that require further attention to achieve full and meaningful participation of persons with disabilities in future elections.

A key highlight of the meeting was the launch of the Guidelines on Disability Inclusion in the Electoral Process, developed by ZAFOD and officially launched by the ZAFOD President. The guidelines provide practical recommendations for strengthening accessibility, participation, and inclusion of persons with disabilities throughout the electoral process.

ZAFOD remains committed to working with stakeholders towards inclusive, accessible and disability-responsive elections where no one is left behind. ♿🤝🗳️

05/10/2026

From the heart of Mulobezi! 🇿🇲

ZAFOD commenced the training in Community Based Inclusive Development (CBID) strategy in Mulobezi District of Western Province where we are implementing a project called Collective Action for Disability Rights with support from the Norwegian Association of Disabled (NAD).

A courtesy call to the District Administration Office was made where we were warmly welcomed.

The District Administrative Officer shared a very powerful message:

“When you visit Mulobezi, we feel we are part of the country." He noted that due to its geographical location, Mulobezi is often left out, and many persons with disabilities are excluded from development programs because most NGOs concentrate along the line of rail.”

We are proud as ZAFOD to be breaking that pattern ensuring no one is left behind, no matter how far they are.

Thank you to the Mulobezi District Administration for the warm reception and commitment to working with us! We promise you the disability conversation in Mulobezi will never be the same.

28/09/2026

ZAFOD WORKSHOP PROMOTES INCLUSIVE DECENTRALISATION IN KASAMA

By LONO TV

A four-day workshop being conducted by the Zambia Federation of Disability Organisations (ZAFOD) in Kasama has brought together local leaders and community representatives to discuss the importance of inclusion in Zambia’s decentralisation process.

The workshop has brought together a range of stakeholders, including Kasama District Heads of Department, councillors, traditional leaders and the Mayor, alongside representatives of persons with disabilities and other community stakeholders.

The meeting is focusing on how decentralisation can ensure that development planning and decision-making at local level are inclusive and responsive to the needs of all citizens.

PROMOTING INCLUSIVE LOCAL DECISION-MAKING

The discussions have highlighted decentralisation as a process through which decision-making and responsibilities are transferred closer to communities through local authorities.

Participants are also examining the importance of inclusion, particularly ensuring that people are not excluded from development processes because of gender, disability, age, economic status or other circumstances.

The workshop emphasises that when decisions are made at local level, all sections of the community should have an opportunity to participate and have their concerns considered.

FOCUS ON PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

A key aspect of the discussions is the participation of persons with disabilities in local governance and development planning.

ZAFOD works to strengthen the participation of persons with disabilities in public life and advocates for the removal of social, environmental, cultural and attitudinal barriers that limit their participation.

The involvement of local government leaders and other stakeholders therefore provides an opportunity to discuss practical ways of making local services, planning processes and community programmes more inclusive.

CHALLENGES TO INCLUSION

The workshop is also examining some of the barriers that can prevent meaningful participation in local governance.

These include low civic awareness, limited participation by marginalised groups, inadequate capacity within local authorities, barriers affecting women and girls, and the risk of development processes being dominated by influential groups.

Participants are being encouraged to consider approaches that can ensure community priorities are reflected in local development plans and budgets.

CALL FOR GREATER COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION

The discussions emphasise the importance of community sensitisation so that citizens understand their rights and know how they can participate in local governance.

Local leaders are also encouraged to strengthen inclusive planning, budgeting and accountability mechanisms, while communities can play a greater role by attending meetings, asking questions and monitoring the delivery of public services.

The four-day engagement provides a platform for local government leaders, traditional leadership, persons with disabilities and other stakeholders to share perspectives on building more inclusive communities in Kasama.

As Zambia continues to strengthen decentralisation, the workshop underscores the importance of ensuring that development is not only brought closer to the people, but that the people themselves are meaningfully included in decisions that affect their lives.

26/09/2026

18/09/2026

ZAFOD CALLS FOR MEANINGFUL, DIVERSE AND EFFECTIVE REPRESENTATION OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

The Zambia Federation of Disability Organisations (ZAFOD) welcomes the implementation of Zambia’s Mixed-Member Proportional Representation (PR) system and the reservation of seats for persons with disabilities, recognising this as an important milestone towards inclusive democracy and equal participation.

However, ZAFOD emphasizes that the success of these reserved seats must go beyond simply having persons with disabilities represented. Representation must be meaningful, diverse, effective and accountable, reflecting the broad spectrum of disability experiences across Zambia.

ZAFOD calls on political parties and public institutions to:
• Promote the leadership and participation of women, youth and men with disabilities.
• Ensure representation reflects the diversity of the disability community.
• Remove administrative, procedural and physical barriers to participation.
• Ensure elected representatives with disabilities have accessible infrastructure, information, communication and support systems.
• Strengthen efforts to prevent discrimination and exclusion in political processes.
• Review the first implementation of the PR system and meaningfully consult Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs).

Disability must never be confused with inability. Persons with disabilities are equal leaders, decision-makers and contributors to Zambia’s development.

For the full statement, follow the link: [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1r2rHs_rnXvKYqn5VduTYnO07eTxUnIBz/view?usp=drivesdk]

05/09/2026

JOB OPPORTUNITY: PROJECT OFFICER

The Zambia Federation of Disability Organisations (ZAFOD) is seeking a qualified, experienced, and motivated Project Officer to support the implementation of the Refractive Error and Assistive Technology Community Health in Zambia Project.

The project aims to strengthen access to assistive technology, promote local procurement and utilisation of assistive products, enhance awareness and advocacy, and strengthen coordination among key stakeholders.

1Closing Date: 18th September 2026

ZAFOD is an equal opportunity organisation and encourages qualified persons with disabilities and other suitably qualified candidates to apply.

For more details and application requirements, click the link below: