Ministry of Social Development and People with disabilities

The Office of the Minister of State Responsible for Persons with Disabilities was established on 16 December, 1998 through a Presidential directive.  The Office, which was under the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC), was established to take charge of all matters pertaining to persons with disabilities that were previously the responsibility of the Ministry of Gender, Youth and Community Services.  The move was meant to promote effective measures for the prevention of disability, rehabilitation and realization of the goal of full participation and inclusion of persons with disabilities in social life, development as well as their equality.  In July 2004, the Ministry was de-linked from OPC and was a stand-alone but with a “Social Development” dimension added to its name. More >>

Mandate
The mandate of the Ministry is “to oversee and monitor all matters pertaining to persons with disabilities and to co-ordinate them with Government Ministries and Departments and all other stakeholders”.
Mision
The mission of the Ministry is “to foster, develop and sustain an inclusive society through clear policies, programmes, legislation and mainstreaming of disability issues in all sectors of development”. 
Objectives
To achieve its mission, the Ministry pursues the following objectives: 
  1. To support the efforts of Government Ministries and Departments in the formulation of policies and programmes that effectively address the issues and concerns of persons with disabilities; 
  2. To assist Government Ministries and Departments as well as the civil society organisations in establishing and strengthening institutions aimed at implementing policies and programmes for the equalisation of opportunities for persons with disabilities; 
  3. To enhance the involvement of persons with disabilities in all planning and decision-making processes; 
  4. To initiate programmes to support persons with disabilities aimed at promoting their own social economic development and for the development of their communities; 
  5. To recognise and support initiatives by persons with disabilities; 
  6. To promote greater awareness at all levels of the Malawian society of the importance of inclusion and full participation of persons with disabilities; and  
  7. To coordinate, consult and cooperate with Government Ministries and Departments and other stakeholders on all matters pertaining to persons with disabilities.