Metro

Visually-impaired community calls for institutional support to overcome challenges of access to information

Published

7 months ago

April 22, 2024

Machisa Zimba, Coordinator of Community Based Inclusive Development Network (CBID) for the visually impaired, sheds light on the challenges hindering their access to information, and limiting their freedom of expression.

Among the hurdles highlighted by Zimba were the prohibitive costs of digital devices and the lack of supportive infrastructure systems, which impede their ability to express themselves freely.

When asked about his understanding of media freedom, Zimba, who is visually impaired, emphasized its essence in enabling media institutions and practitioners to disseminate information across various platforms, including print, electronic media, radio, television, and social media.

However, in an interview with Zambia Monitor in Chipata, Eastern Province, Zimba pointed out existing gaps in media freedom, particularly in how people with disabilities receive information.

He cited instances where visually impaired individuals were disadvantaged, such as when job opportunities are advertised on television without accommodating their needs.

Zimba stressed the importance of affordable digital tools to facilitate freedom of expression for persons with disabilities.

He underscored the challenge of accessing expensive devices designed to assist visually impaired communities in effectively expressing themselves.

Highlighting the exorbitant prices of such equipment, Zimba noted the significant information gap it creates for people with disabilities, exacerbated by the lack of local manufacturing.

Zimba noted that while smartphones were widely used, their high cost posed a barrier, especially for unemployed individuals with disabilities.

“Very few people know how to use these digital devices because they are expensive and they are not made in Zambia,” Zimba stressed.

He illustrated this with the example of a visually impaired person struggling to afford a smartphone priced at three thousand Kwacha.

“Imagine someone who doesn’t work, someone who is not well empowered, who is visually impaired, they cannot manage to buy a phone at three thousand Kwacha,” he mentioned.

Furthermore, Zimba pointed out the need for mainstream media to better cater to the needs of persons with disabilities.

He noted the lack of accessibility to newspapers for the visually impaired, stressing the importance of providing braille newspapers alongside print and digital formats.

Zimba highlighted the imperative of addressing these challenges to ensure equal access to information and freedom of expression for all members of society, regardless of their abilities.

This story is sponsored content from Zambia Monitor’s Project Aliyense.

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Metro

Zambian govt successfully repatriates trafficked toddler from Mozambique

Published

1 hour ago

November 23, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The Zambian government has announced the successful repatriation of a one-year-eight-month-old child who was trafficked to Mozambique.

Making the announcement at a media briefing held at the Ministry’s head office in Lusaka on Friday, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services, Angela Kawandami, expressed relief and joy at the child’s return, following the abduction from Lundazi District in October 2023.

Kawandami revealed that the case was reported to Lundazi Police Station on October 28, 2023, and following intense investigation, the child was trailed to a house in a care facility in Tete, Mozambique, before being repatriated.

Kawandami emphasized government’s commitment to protecting children’s rights, citing the Children’s Code Act of 2022 and the Anti-Human Trafficking Act of 2008 as essential tools in combating child trafficking.

“These laws mandate the state and relevant actors to ensure the safety, security, and well-being of children, especially those at risk of trafficking,” she said.

She further highlighted the role of Zambia’s National Referral Mechanism in ensuring a coordinated, multi-sectoral response to trafficking cases.

“Through effective collaboration between the Ministries of Community Development and Social Services, Home Affairs and Internal Security, the Zambia Police Service’s Anti-Human Trafficking Department, and Interpol, the child was returned safely after a year of continuous efforts,” she narrated.

She urged the public to remain vigilance and report suspected trafficking cases, noting the increasing threat of human trafficking.

Also speaking at the press briefing, the Director for Anti-Human Trafficking in the Ministry of Home Affairs Boris Mulengu, praised the strong cooperation between Zambia and Mozambique, stressing the importance of intergovernmental collaboration in combating trafficking.

Meanwhile, the child’s mother expressed heartfelt gratitude for her child’s safe return, acknowledging the emotional toll the abduction had caused.

She thanked the government and all involved agencies for their unwavering dedication to reuniting her with her child.

Metro

Finland-based Nigerians in panic as authorities search for Simon Ekpa’s sponsors

Published

5 hours ago

November 23, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Some Nigerians based in Finland have been thrown into panic mode following the arrest and detention of the self-styled Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government in Exile (BRIGE), Simon Ekpa, who was arrested on Thursday by Finnish authorities on terror-related charges.

Ekpa was arrested alongside four other individuals by Finnish authorities on suspicion of terror-related activities, including incitement to violence and financing terrorism.

The dissident had made himself infamous by using the social media to promote violent activities in southeastern Nigeria, including attacks and murder of civilians and security personnel.

According to some Nigerians in European country, following the arrest of the separatist leader and the four individuals suspected to be sponsors of his group known as IPOB-AutoPilots, the police have begun a manhunt for other sponsors, thus creating panic in the Nigerian community and those who may have had dealings with the agitator.

Several sources who spoke to journalists, said Nigerians in the European country are afraid of commenting on the arrest of Ekpa over fear of being attacked.

A Nigerian community leader, who spoke on the condition of anonymity for fear of victimisation, said that the Igbo community in the was gravely affected by the violent acts of the secessionist group.

“Everyone is afraid to speak about Ekpa’s arrest. The key people in Finland and the Igbo community at large are not ready to lend their voices either,” he said.

He added that some persons were being accused of reporting Ekpa to the police and were being threatened.

“A particular person they accused now, they’re after him. This happened before he (Ekpa) was even remanded; what will happen when they imprison him? Everyone is afraid. These people are very deadly.”

Another Nigerian who spoke acknowledged that there was serious tension among Nigerians in the country.

“People don’t want to speak about Ekpa for fear of being hunted by his followers. We believe that they will hunt whoever comes out to talk about their leader. But the Finnish Government is trying to get rid of the situation.”