THE Zambia National Women’s Lobby (ZNWL) and Disability Rights Watch have announced a new partnership with media organisations aimed at enhancing the dissemination of information concerning persons with disabilities, particularly regarding their political participation.
Speaking at a media training workshop on positive media coverage of disability issues in the electoral process, ZNWL acting executive director Golden Nachibinga emphasised the pivotal role of the media in reaching the public.
“We realise that the media is very key when it comes to social advocacy that the two organizations are doing,” Nachibinga stated.
He acknowledged potential limitations the media may face in covering disability-related issues and highlighted the partnership’s goal to equip journalists with the necessary tools and knowledge.
A key objective of the collaboration is to educate media professionals on appropriate disability language and how to accurately address and report on stories involving persons with disabilities.
Nachibinga underscored the media’s potential for broader outreach compared to the direct community engagement efforts of the two organisations.
“The two organisations can do its part in doing advocacy and engaging the community, but media has the potential of a wider outreach,” he explained.
With general elections approaching, Nachibinga expressed eagerness for close collaboration and feedback from media partners.
He affirmed the commitment of ZNWL and Disability Rights Watch to continue working with the media on future projects concerning persons with disabilities, ensuring the spread of balanced and inclusive information.
The training workshop, held on June 29, 2025, according marks a significant step towards fostering more inclusive media representation for persons with disabilities in Zambia’s electoral process and beyond.
By Lucy Phiri
Kalemba July 1, 2025
