As Malawi is observing the Disability Rights Awareness Month, Abilis Foundation has asked for continued efforts to spearhead advocacy and economic empowerment initiatives that support persons with disabilities to achieve economic independence.

The organisation’s Assistant country Coordinator, Martha Momba told Zodiak on Tuesday that there is a need to specifically address the financial needs of women and girls with disabilities to reduce some of the challenges which they are experiencing.

Momba said they are now utilizing the Disability Rights Awareness Month to implement some of their activities.

“Abilis Foundation is an organization which grants organisations of persons with disabilities and our main pillars are economic empowerment, advocacy, Sexual and reproductive health among women and girls with disabilities and providing capacity to organisations of persons with disabilities,” said Momba.

She added that they are currently visiting Nsanje, Chikwawa, Mulanje and Phalombe to conduct advocacy and pre-appraisals of some of the organisations and groups of persons with disabilities which applied for funding in an effort to improve their lives.

Meanwhile Minister of Gender, Children, Disability and Social welfare, Mary Navicha has committed to advance disability inclusion by promoting accessible infrastructure and technology, equitable access to education and employment and community engagement thereby  addressing the deeply rooted stigma.

“Persons with disabilities in the country, as elsewhere, continue to face challenges in their daily lives due to discrimination and exclusion emanating from negative attitudes that society holds towards them.

“Negative attitudes, stigma, discrimination, and lack of accessible infrastructure and facilities, including the physical environments continue to pose inclusion barriers for persons with disabilities and I personally commit to advance disability inclusion,” said Navicha.

The Disability Rights Awareness Month initiative was adopted by the Government of Malawi in 2015.