Challenges with the Disability Policy Framework in Zimbabwe: An In-Depth Qualitative Analysis of Perspectives of Youth with Disabilities

Tapson Mashanyare, Tendayi Clotilda Garutsa () and Kiran Odhav
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Tapson Mashanyare: Department of Sociology, North-West University, Mmabatho 2745, South Africa
Tendayi Clotilda Garutsa: Department of Sociology, North-West University, Mmabatho 2745, South Africa
Kiran Odhav: Department of Sociology, University of Free State, Bloemfontein 9301, South Africa

Disabilities, 2025, vol. 5, issue 2, 1-13

Abstract: Although Zimbabwe has made significant progress regarding the development of a policy framework that caters to the needs of people with disabilities through various pieces of legislation, such as the Disabled Peoples Act (DPA), ratifying the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and adopting a new Constitution which has provisions for disability rights, people with disabilities in Zimbabwe are yet to benefit from these policies, as they are not fully implemented. Focus group discussions and semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 youth aged between 18 and 35 with disabilities, and 5 key informants in Gweru, to analyze their perceptions regarding the disability policy framework in Zimbabwe. Most of the youth with disabilities lacked knowledge on the various policies regarding disabilities. This was attributed to poor implementation of such policies and a general negative attitude of society towards disability rights. Youth with disabilities are not fully benefiting from the current disability policies due to a lack of knowledge and some implementation gaps. The participants suggested full implementation of such policies and involvement of youth with disabilities in policy formulation and implementation.

Keywords: challenges; disability; policy framework; Zimbabwe; qualitative analysis; youth (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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