Fairness Moyana
PERSONS with Disabilities (PWDs) have welcomed the enactment of the new Freedom of Information Act but argued authorities to ensure access to information was inclusive and accessible.
Zimbabwe recently replaced the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA) with the Freedom of Information Act, which empowers citizens and media practitioners with the right to access information from public and private institutions.
In an interview with the director of Disability Agenda Forum (DAF), a Matabeleland North based disability rights organisation, Octavia Phiri said she hoped that PWDs would be able to access information riding on the new law arguing that they were often forgotten and neglected when it came to developmental programmes.
“While the enactment of the Freedom of Information Act which seeks to grant citizens access to information from both public and private bodies is welcome and commendable, we urge authorities to ensure that access is not discriminatory but inclusive.
“Research has shown that PWDs especially women face multiple challenges in their effort to access information particularly on sexual and reproductive health services. It’s important to note that negative attitudes still prevail. Access to information is vital in making decisions, especially in the area that concerns one’s health,” Phiri said.
She added: “Women with disabilities, especially the deaf community, lack access to information. Women with disabilities have little access to formal information. Their right to information is restricted. We would want to see mechanisms on how deaf and visually impaired would be able to access informative information.”
She said there was a need for provision of disability friendly services such as sign language and braille as well as access to infrastructure.
“Policy inclusion is another good alternative of guaranteeing access to everyone. When enacting policies, government and development partners should thrive to include issues that affect people with disabilities. Trained personnel in sign language and braille to assist PWDs to access and interpret information is essential in inclusiveness. So our hope is that the Act will help in promoting disability rights through access to information.”
DAF has of late been carrying out activities on human rights and access to health, sexual and reproductive services in rural Hwange following an increase in violations reported during the Covid-19 induced lockdowns.
Meanwhile Tag a Life International (TaLI), a women and girls’ rights organisation advocating for gender equality recently embarked on a campaign meant to create awareness particularly amongst women on the new Act.
TaLI director, Nyaradzo Mashayamombe said access to information by citizens was crucial in that it spoke about rights and responsibilities as well as the need to hold institutions accountable.
“The Freedom of Information Act enables citizens to approach both private and public bodies which include churches, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and government institutions, to request for information that is essential for them to make well-informed decisions.
“It’s important to note that access to information enables citizens to know their rights as well as responsibilities which in turn ensures that they are able to hold institutions that govern their resources accountable,” Mashayamombe said.
The new law now enables journalists to have access to information and be able to write and inform the public, a departure from the past where access was restricted.
