Zimbabwe was once a model country for disability rights in Africa with a high-level disability advisor to the president and progressive legislation and policies (SIDA, 2014). However, Zimbabwe’s fast declining national economy has meant that people living with disabilities and their organisations have been left with little support (Choruma, 2006). This depicts that the situation in the country has exacerbated the plight of persons with disabilities. This has had an effect on the strides taken by Zimbabwe as country towards persons with disability in general and CwDs in particular.

The Government of Zimbabwe carried out a national survey of disability in 1981 to “ascertain the extent, nature, main causes and impact of disability in the country” (Jackson, 1993). This was the first survey to be done in Zimbabwe and it provided a database on which to base planning for the nation. Soon after independence Zimbabwe kick started its journey to care for persons with disabilities. Zimbabwe was one of the first countries to adopt a disability legislation in 1992. Despite this law, the establishment of the National Disability Board and the appointment of a Presidential Advisor on disability issues, there has been no formal policies and implementation strategies in place to ensure the Act’s enforcement (Choruma, 2006). This depicts that Zimbabwe, has well-crafted legislation but enforcement of such is being a challenge. These challenges mostly arise from lack of political will from those in government departments. This does not do justice to persons living with disabilities as the government must spearhead these interventions to set the pace for communities, local authorities, non-governmental organizations and donors.

Regardless of the above challenges, Zimbabwe in September, 2013 took a bold step in attainment of rights for persons with disabilities by signing and ratifying the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and the optional protocol, the first international, legally binding treaty aimed at protecting the human rights of persons with disabilities (SIDA, 2015). This was a positive step by the country, it can also be noted that in the same year, the Government of National Unity did not maintain earlier commitments in state support (monthly allowances) for persons with disabilities, and there is no disability policy (SIDA, 2014). Which shows that the country continues to go back and forth on issues affecting those with disabilities and their welfare. The country’s constitution has several provisions that aim at ensuring the rights of persons with disabilities (Mugumbate & Chamunogwa, 2013).

Although the legal framework is present and convincing, implementing agencies still lack financial budgets to compliment the legal frameworks in place. Zimbabwe is still a long way to go for it to be able to give care to CwDs although UN and other development partners are supporting the CwDs.