By Ndumiso Tshuma
The Federation of Disabled People in Zimbabwe (FODPZ), in collaboration with Sightsavers, has launched an economic empowerment project aimed at promoting economic opportunities for people with disabilities (PWDs) in Bulawayo.
The two-year program aims to equip 120 entrepreneurs with disabilities with the skills and knowledge needed to grow their businesses.
Speaking at the launch, Nicolas Nicodemus, a representative of Sightsavers and the main speaker, said the project is a response to the gaps identified in a labour market assessment conducted in 2022.
He added that the assessment highlighted a lack of skills, markets, and finance for people with disabilities to start and grow their enterprises, as well as stigma, discrimination, and segregation.
” We have 120 entrepreneurs seeking to grow or start their enterprises. Today, we are having a mentorship session where they are meeting identified mentors who will help them with knowledge and industry-specific learnings to grow and start their enterprises,” said Nicodemus.
Nicodemus added that there is a need to break barriers faced by PWDs in accessing financial services, stating that financial institutions often lack confidence in lending to them due to perceived risks.
He added that the project aims to address this by providing training and support to build the capacity of entrepreneurs with disabilities and link them with financial institutions and mentors.
“The labour market assessment also identified a lack of confidence by financial institutions to extend credit to people with disabilities. Hence, we are taking a systems approach to strengthen the soft skills of people with disabilities, through business skills development, and linking them with access to finance by working with financial institutions and identified mentors and role models. This will build a sustainable and inclusive community in and around Bulawayo,” said Nicodemus.
Nicodemus said the project is expected to make a positive impact on the community by empowering entrepreneurs with disabilities and ensuring they never feel left out.
“The project aims to create a more sustainable and inclusive economy that benefits everyone, including people with disabilities. It is expected to have a lasting impact on the lives of entrepreneurs with disabilities in Bulawayo and beyond,” said Nicodemus.
