SAFOD

Southern Africa Federation of the Disabled

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Member Organisations

...national cross disability Federations.

SAFOD constitutes of national cross disability Federations of the disabled people in Southern Africa Associate and temporary membership may be granted to other organisation, which subscribe to the philosophy and principles of the Federation.
 

FAPED
Federation of Organisations of Disabled People in Angola
CP 10686 - Luanda - Angola
T: 24-2-445537

F:244-2-397566

E-mail: lardef@snet.co.ao

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BOSPED
Botswana Society of People with Disabilities

PO Box 31797-Serowe-Botswana

T: 267-434147

F: 267-432443

LNFOD
Lesotho National Federation of the Disabled

PO Box 9988 - Maseru - Lesotho

T: 266-320345

F: 266-310031

E-mail: ljmotoko@yahoo.com

FEDOMA

Federation of Disability Organizations of Malawi

PO Box 2284 - Blantyre - Malawi

T: 265-1-40547

F: 265-1-640549

-fmchiwaula@fedomamw.org

FAMOD

Forum of Associations of Disabled People in Mozambique

CP 4441 - Maputo - Mozambique

T: 258-1-469004

F: 258-1-469001

-mail:famodmoz@gmail.com

NFPDN

National Federation of People with Disabilities in Namibia

PO Box 13272 - Windhoek - Namibia

T:/F: 264-61-225717

E-mail:napcd@mweb.com.na

DPSA

Disabled People South Africa

PO Box 3467 - Cape Town - South Africa

T: 27-21-4650090

F:27-21-4650090

E-mail: sg@dpsa.org.za

FODSWA

Federation of Organizations of Disabled People in Swaziland

PO Box2052 - Mbabane - Swaziland

T: 268-40-47731

F: 268-40-44719

E-bhekijele2010@gmail.com

ZAFOD

Zambia Federation of the Disabled

PO Box 35794 - Lusaka - Zambia

T: 260-286529

F: 260-289534

 simulungafelix@yahoo.com

FODPZ

Federation of Organisations of Disabled People in Zimbabwe

PO Box 1952 - Bulawayo - Zimbabwe

Tel: 263-9-74426

F: 263-9-68023

E-: safod@netconnect.co.zw

Malawian FEDOMA fought with Tooth and Nail for the Ratification of the Convention

We learnt with glee when Malawi finally ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities on August 27 in 2009. We were somewhat amazed that this was done without any hype or fanfare. This marked a milestone and FEDOMA which had fought with tooth and nail for the ratification of this historic Disability Convention can claim a huge dividend for it.

By the way, the Federation of the Disability Organisations in Malawi (FEDOMA), formed in 1999, comprises of nine disability organisations representing a diversity of disabilities and is the focal point and a ‘voice’ for Persons with Disabilities in Malawi. It is playing a pivotal role in changing the disability landscape in Malawi in its fight for a just and inclusive Malawi.

To reach this far, FEDOMA used every opportunity such as campaigns, media briefings and the commemoration of the International Day for Persons with Disabilities to lobby Government to ratify the Convention. A huge advantage was the presence of Rachel Kachaje in the Board of Disabled People International (DPI) which is the global umbrella organization of all Disabled People’s Organizations. She supplied FEDOMA with all the developments taking place in the United Nations regarding the Convention. Armed with this vital information, we could plan our advocacy strategies.

FEDOMA also drummed up support of the Diplomatic Missions in Malawi. The British High Commission was particularly helpful and arranged a Cocktail Party which was attended by Members of Parliament, Cabinet Ministers, Members of the Diplomatic Corp and Civil Society Organisations. Both FEDOMA and the British High Commissioner utilized the event to call upon the Government to ratify the UN Convention.

The ratification of the UN Convention by Malawi means that the country joins a community of nations that have made a commitment in ensuring that all policies, implementation strategies and practice take into account the rights of persons with disabilities. All sectors of society have a role to play in the implementation of the Convention. Especially this broad approach will lead to the improvement of quality of life of disabled people.

Certainly the ratification of the UN Convention is one of the greatest things that have happened in the history of disability in Malawi. It is a major boost towards the empowerment of persons with disabilities in the country. At least 10 % of the population will benefit from it. These 1.3 million citizens are today among the poorest of the poor. Malawi’s ratification of the Convention is meant to "promote, protect, and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities, and to promote respect for their inherent dignity". The approach of the Convention is developmental and rights based.

FEDOMA feels that it is very crucial that the policy and legal framework in Malawi is in tune with the provisions of the UN Convention. All the obligations, the government signed, have to be implemented now. In this respect, FEDOMA has also spearheaded the drafting of the Disability Bill which is now waiting to be presented to Parliament for enactment. The ratification of the UN Convention has greatly assisted in galvanising this process and FEDOMA is hopeful that the Bill will be enacted by the end of this year into law.

The ratification of the UN Convention also means that as a nation, Malawi is obligated to live by the letter and spirit of the Convention. FEDOMA is now working towards ensuring that the Convention will be domesticated. First it has to be put it in language that is easily understood by all citizens. We will continue to lobby government to ensure that the political will that has been demonstrated by the ratification of the UN Convention should also be expressed through the thoroughly implementation of the provisions of the Convention.

It is only when this is done that the UN Convention can be brought to fruition and be meaningful in the lives of persons with disabilities in an inclusive Malawi!

By Mussa Chiwaula

FEDOMA