The recent Ngoma awards ceremony held in Lusaka has sparked our outrage as Word Smash Poetry Movement after failing to provide a wheelchair ramp for people with disabilities, effectively barring them from accessing the stage and making it difficult for those using crutches as witnessed during the Visual Arts category and the Children Visual Arts section.
This blatant disregard for accessibility not only violates the rights of people with disabilities but also contravenes several established laws.
The lack of a wheelchair ramp at the awards venue constitutes a clear violation of the Zambian Persons with Disabilities Act of 2012.
This Act explicitly mandates that all public buildings and facilities be accessible to people with disabilities by providing ramps, lifts, and other necessary modifications. The awards ceremony organizers, by neglecting to fulfil this legal obligation, have discriminated against and excluded individuals based on their disability.
Furthermore, this incident contravenes the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), which Zambia ratified in 2014.
The CRPD guarantees equal rights and opportunities for people with disabilities, including full participation in cultural and social life. By denying access to the awards ceremony, the organizers have effectively denied creatives living with disabilities their fundamental rights enshrined in the CRPD.
This incident highlights the continued challenges faced by persons with disabilities in Zambia, who are often subjected to discrimination and exclusion in various aspects of life. It serves as a stark reminder of the need for greater awareness and enforcement of existing laws and regulations that promote inclusion and equality for all.
At an event graced by Permanent Secretaries from the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Arts, Ministers and other government directors, we expected better.
As Word Smash Poetry we demand:
1. A formal apology from the organizers of the awards ceremony for their discriminatory actions.
2. Immediate action to ensure that all future events are accessible to people with disabilities.
3. A comprehensive review of existing accessibility standards and regulations in Zambia to
ensure they are inclusive and effective.
4. We urge the government, businesses, and individuals to uphold the rights of people with
disabilities and work towards creating a society where everyone has equal access to opportunities and participation.
Contact: Bhekumusa Moyo Regional Coordinator
