About 270 young Zambians with disabilities will be empowered financially and with jobs through the Future Makers Rise E Project whose launch took place this morning.
The initiative will not only enable the youth to access dignified work but also strengthen micro enterprises owned by youth both with and without disabilities by facilitating access to finance and nurturing job creation.
The Future Makers Ready for Inclusive Sustainable Employment and Entrepreneurship (Rise/E) project aims at fostering economic inclusion for youth and persons with disabilities.
Funded by Standard Chartered Bank and Implemented in partnership with Sight savers, Challenge World Wide and the Zambia Federation for Disability Organizations, the project embodies a crucial step towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal number 8 and 12. These goals advocate for economic growth, full and productive employment, decent work for all and reduced inequalities.
Ministry of Youth Sport and Arts Permanent Secretary Kangwa Chileshe who officiated at the launch of the project in Lusaka expressed Government’s pride and support towards the project saying the New Dawn Government is dedicated to ensuring equal opportunities for all Zambians irrespective of their background or abilities.
Mr Chileshe said the 6.13% unemployment rate overall and 11.03% unemployment rate among the youth current statistics underscores the critical need to bridge the skills gap in the labor market.
He said as Government provides policy guidance and creates an enabling environment , there is need to recognize that true transformation requires collaborative efforts from all stakeholders.
Mr Chileshe who emphasized on the need to remember that disability does not equate to inability and the need to collectively dismantle barriers that hinder meaningful participation of youth and persons with disabilities in economic development called on employers across the country including private sector companies and state owned enterprises to champion inclusivity in hiring practices and supplier diversity.
