BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-Fountain of Hope Organization (FOHOP) organized a training for Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Blantyre, aimed at fostering inclusive societies for persons with disabilities.

The training aim to equip CSO members with the necessary knowledge, skills and tools to effectively integrate disability considerations into their development initiatives, recognizing that mainstreaming disability is essential for achieving equitable growth.

FOHOP designed a comprehensive curriculum covering disability rights, inclusive policies, accessible infrastructure, attitudes and community engagement strategies.

One of the participants, Executive Director of the Parents of Disabled Children Association of Malawi (PODCAM) and Vice Chair of the Blantyre CSO Network, Lyness Manduwa, stated that the training has helped the network gain a deeper understanding of the Disability Act, rights, and the change in attitudes toward people with disabilities.

Having undergone this training, the CSO is now better prepared to advocate for inclusive policies, design accessible programs, and collaborate with government agencies and other stakeholders, Manduwa added.

Director of FOHOP, Shora Kauluka, mentioned that this capacity-building initiative is expected to lead to more disability friendly projects that promote social inclusion, economic participation, and awareness.