The 2025 Policy also addresses emerging issues, such as the recent impacts of climate change, which have negatively affected the welfare of Persons with Disabilities.
The 2025 National Policy on Persons with Disabilities
The 2025 National Policy on Persons with Disabilities identifies gaps that were not addressed by the 2015 Policy, include inadequate coordination of disability-related matters among institutions; ongoing inclusion challenges leading to limited access to quality education, health, and employment; communication barriers; stigma resulting in low integration of Persons with Disabilities in community development and national governance; insufficient budgetary support; and uncoordinated data gathering, as well as weak linkages among service providers.
Persons with Disabilities can meaningfully participate in various spheres of life. However, their enjoyment of rights and access to services, as well as productive assets, is often limited, hindering their participation in national development. The barriers faced by Persons with Disabilities affect their lives and well-being.
The Government of the Republic of Zambia recognizes that addressing the needs of Persons with Disabilities is both a human rights and developmental issue. In 2010, Zambia ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) as a commitment to improving the well-being of Persons with Disabilities. Additionally, the country has enacted several laws and policies related to Persons with Disabilities, including the Persons with Disabilities Act No. 6 of 2012, the 2015 National Policy on Disability, and the Mental Health Act No. 6 of 2019.
During the implementation of the 2015 National Policy on Disability, several achievements were recorded, including but not limited to: the development of the Disability Management Information System; the hosting of a Community-Based Rehabilitation (CBR) conference; an increase in social protection interventions for Persons with Disabilities; the development of Employment Coordination Mechanisms for Persons with Disabilities; and the establishment of a twin-track approach using methods such as Community-Based Inclusive Development (CBID) and the Human Rights-Based Approach (HRBA).
The 2025 National Policy on Persons with Disabilities identifies gaps that were not addressed by the 2015 Policy, include inadequate coordination of disability-related matters among institutions; ongoing inclusion challenges leading to limited access to quality education, health, and employment; communication barriers; stigma resulting in low integration of Persons with Disabilities in community development and national governance; insufficient budgetary support; and uncoordinated data gathering, as well as weak linkages among service providers.
Further, the 2015 policy did not recognize disability as an evolving concept, resulting from the interaction between persons with impairments and the attitudinal and environmental barriers that hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others.
The 2025 policy also addresses emerging issues, such as; the recent impacts of climate change, which have negatively affected the welfare of Persons with Disabilities. Additionally, it acknowledges the fast-evolving technological advancements that are reshaping the world, offering new opportunities and breaking down barriers for Persons with Disabilities.
The policy further outlines the provision of an enabling environment that considers the needs of Persons with Disabilities. It is aligned with the Eighth National Development Plan and the Vision 2030, providing a comprehensive framework to achieve social inclusion and equality of opportunity for all Persons with Disabilities in Zambia.
This policy document is divided into five sections. Chapter one provides the introduction, while chapter two presents the situation analysis. Chapter three covers the vision, rationale, and guiding principles. Chapter four outlines the objectives of the policy and related measures, while chapter five details the implementation framework.