SOUTHERN AFRICA FEDERATION OF THE DISABLED (SAFOD)
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SAFOD |
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Member Organisations
..national cross disability Federations.
SAFOD constitutes of national cross disability Federations of the disabled people in Southern Africa Associate and temporary membership may be granted to other organisation, which subscribe to the philosophy and principles of the Federation.
Malawian FEDOMA fought with Tooth and Nail for the Ratification of the Convention
We learnt with glee when Malawi finally
ratified the UN Convention on the Rights
of Persons with Disabilities on August
27 in 2009. We were somewhat amazed
that this was done without any hype or
fanfare. This marked a milestone and
FEDOMA which had fought with tooth
and nail for the ratification of this historic
Disability Convention can claim a huge
dividend
for it.
By the way, the Federation of the Disability Organisations in Malawi (FEDOMA), formed in 1999, comprises of nine disability organisations representing a diversity of disabilities and is the focal point and a ‘voice’ for Persons with Disabilities in Malawi. It is playing a pivotal role in changing the disability landscape in Malawi in its fight for a just and inclusive Malawi.
To reach this far, FEDOMA used every opportunity such as campaigns, media briefings and the commemoration of the International Day for Persons with Disabilities to lobby Government to ratify the Convention. A huge advantage was the presence of Rachel Kachaje in the Board of Disabled People International (DPI) which is the global umbrella organization of all Disabled People’s Organizations. She supplied FEDOMA with all the developments taking place in the United Nations regarding the Convention. Armed with this vital information, we could plan our advocacy strategies.
FEDOMA also drummed up support of the Diplomatic Missions in Malawi. The British High Commission was particularly helpful and arranged a Cocktail Party which was attended by Members of Parliament, Cabinet Ministers, Members of the Diplomatic Corp and Civil Society Organisations. Both FEDOMA and the British High Commissioner utilized the event to call upon the Government to ratify the UN Convention.
The ratification of the UN Convention by Malawi means that the country joins a community of nations that have made a commitment in ensuring that all policies, implementation strategies and practice take into account the rights of persons with disabilities. All sectors of society have a role to play in the implementation of the Convention. Especially this broad approach will lead to the improvement of quality of life of disabled people.
Certainly the ratification of the UN Convention is one of the greatest things that have happened in the history of disability in Malawi. It is a major boost towards the empowerment of persons with disabilities in the country. At least 10 % of the population will benefit from it. These 1.3 million citizens are today among the poorest of the poor. Malawi’s ratification of the Convention is meant to "promote, protect, and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities, and to promote respect for their inherent dignity". The approach of the Convention is developmental and rights based.
FEDOMA feels that it is very crucial that the policy and legal framework in Malawi is in tune with the provisions of the UN Convention. All the obligations, the government signed, have to be implemented now. In this respect, FEDOMA has also spearheaded the drafting of the Disability Bill which is now waiting to be presented to Parliament for enactment. The ratification of the UN Convention has greatly assisted in galvanising this process and FEDOMA is hopeful that the Bill will be enacted by the end of this year into law.
The ratification of the UN Convention also means that as a nation, Malawi is obligated to live by the letter and spirit of the Convention. FEDOMA is now working towards ensuring that the Convention will be domesticated. First it has to be put it in language that is easily understood by all citizens. We will continue to lobby government to ensure that the political will that has been demonstrated by the ratification of the UN Convention should also be expressed through the thoroughly implementation of the provisions of the Convention.
It is only when this is done that the UN Convention can be brought to fruition and be meaningful in the lives of persons with disabilities in an inclusive Malawi!
By Mussa Chiwaula
FEDOMA
SAFOD - A Promising Future for People with Disabilities
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Vision "A society new society where all people, including disabled people, women and workers, men and children, are treated with dignity, respect and on the basis of equality." ************ Mission "To strengthen Disabled People's Organisations in SAFOD member countries through training, research, coordination, information sharing, promotion of human rights and adoption of appropriate strategies for stimulating people with disabilities to enhance their economic, political and social development" ************
Core Values
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Copyright © 2010 [Southern Africa Federation of the Disabled]
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