Braille booklets aimed at making information on protection from sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA) more accessible to persons with visual impairments were yesterday launched in Lusaka at the Zambia Agency for Persons with Disabilities (ZAPD) offices.
Stakeholders hailed the launch of the booklets which have so far been made available in English, Nyanja and Bemba as a milestone in advancing inclusive human rights education and protection efforts in Zambia.
Speaking during the launch, Human Rights Commission Vice-Chairperson, Dr. Felicity Kayumba Kalunga described the launch of the braille booklets as a significant step towards building an inclusive society that upholds the rights and dignity of all people.
“The production of these Braille IEC materials safeguards human dignity and affirms that protection must be inclusive and accessible to all. This launch reinforces the right to access information as guaranteed under the Access to Information Act No. 24 of 2023 and aligns with our national goal of leaving no one behind,” Dr. Kalunga said.
Dr. Kalunga urged stakeholders to continue the efforts to promote inclusivity, accessibility, and equality for all.
“As we flag off these Braille materials, let us remember that accessibility is not a privilege, it is a right. Together, we can build a Zambia where every person can access protection, justice, and information on an equal basis with others,” said Dr. Kalunga.
In his keynote speech, Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) National Coordinator, Mr. Norman Chipakupaku, announced that government would integrate PSEA into its disaster recovery and response plans.
“These IEC materials are not just symbolic, they represent preparedness. Inclusive communication saves lives because when people are informed, they are empowered,” Mr. Chipakupaku said.
ZAPD Director General, Mr. Frankson Musukwa, reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to addressing barriers faced by persons with disabilities, especially in accessing information in formats that meet their needs.
He said ZAPD was aware of the longstanding challenges that people with visual impairments faced and that the initiative reflected ongoing efforts to strengthen disability inclusion across all sectors.
“That is why, together with UNFPA [United Nations Population Fund], we developed these Braille IEC materials to ensure that persons with disabilities are not excluded from receiving critical protection information. Our goal is to ensure that every Zambian, regardless of disability, has access to knowledge that empowers and protects them,” Mr. Musukwa said.
UNFPA County Representative, Mr. Seth Broekman, emphasised that true inclusion could only be achieved through sustained commitment from all stakeholders. He stressed that producing the Braille booklets was part of a broader effort to ensure that protection systems, services, and information reached everyone, including those who had been historically marginalised.
Speaking on behalf of the Zambia National Federation of the Blind (ZANFOB), Mr. Lazarous Hakalebula commended UNFPA and its partners for translating key protection messages into Braille.
“By translating these documents, UNFPA is ensuring that no one is left behind. Lack of information is a disaster for the visually impaired, but through these materials, people with disabilities can now participate equally,” said Mr. Hakalebula.
He urged UNFPA and its partners to continue working with organisations representing persons with disabilities to ensure that such initiatives reach those who need them most.
The launch of the booklets developed by UNFPA was witnessed by various stakeholders including representatives of government institutions, civil society organisations and disability rights organisations.
