Mwiinde Challenges Young Persons With Disabilities to Seek Leadership

By Alain Kabinda

Choma West Member of Parliament Trevor Mwiinde has challenged young persons with disabilities to reject being viewed merely as vulnerable people and instead demand meaningful participation in Zambia’s political leadership and decision-making processes.

Mwiinde said disability should never be equated with an inability to lead, urging young people with disabilities to move beyond being mobilised during elections and seek positions where they can influence decisions affecting their communities and the country.

“Disability should never be interpreted as inability to lead. Inclusion is about equal citizenship,” Mwiinde said.

He was speaking as guest of honour at a programme themed “Strengthening the Political Participation of Young Persons with Disabilities.”

Mwiinde said democracy should not only be about citizens exercising their right to vote, but should also provide opportunities for people to participate in leadership and influence decisions.

“Democracy cannot be measured by whether citizens are permitted to vote or not. Young people must progress beyond mobilisation into meaningful participation,” he said.

He called on political parties to ensure persons with disabilities are incorporated into party structures and leadership processes rather than only being remembered during election campaigns.

“There is nothing that beats participation, especially at the leadership table,” Mwiinde said.

He further encouraged young persons with disabilities to organise themselves and become more visible in political and civic spaces, saying stronger organisation would make it easier for government and other stakeholders to engage them on important national issues.

Mwiinde also cautioned young people against excessive dependence on political patrons, saying political participation without personal and economic independence could leave them vulnerable to manipulation.

“Political mobilisation, if you are not resourceful and you are not independent, you can end up being mobilised and put in somebody's pockets,” he warned.

He said young persons with disabilities should pursue leadership out of a genuine desire to serve rather than for personal gratification.

“The desire to serve is a conviction. The desire to serve goes beyond personal satisfaction. The desire to serve calls for teamwork and trust in others,” Mwiinde said.

Meanwhile, UPND PA to Media Director Karen Twambo said political participation should mean more than simply having persons with disabilities present in political spaces.

Twambo said young persons with disabilities needed knowledge, confidence, opportunities and platforms to contribute to national discussions and influence decisions.

“Political participation must mean more than simply being present. It must also mean having the knowledge, having the confidence, having the opportunity and the space to contribute,” she said.

She said inclusion would have little meaning if persons with disabilities were excluded from discussions about issues affecting them.

“Inclusivity really doesn't count unless the people we're talking about are part of what we're speaking about,” Twambo said.

Twambo said meaningful political participation should ultimately enable persons with disabilities to influence decisions and assume leadership positions.

“It also means that we should be able to influence the decisions, and ultimately be able to lead,” she said.

She further stressed the importance of allowing persons with disabilities to choose representatives who understand their lived experiences and challenges.

Twambo said young participants should use programmes of this nature to gain knowledge, ask questions freely and build relationships that could strengthen their participation in political and public life.

The speakers urged young persons with disabilities to use their collective voice and organisation to shift the narrative surrounding disability from vulnerability to equal citizenship, participation and leadership.