About us
UWZ GENESIS
UWZ is a national cross-disability organization established in 1985, registered in Zanzibar under the Land Perpetual Succession Decree (Cap 101), and complied with Section 58, Society Act No. 6 of 1995.
OFICIAL STATUS
UWZ was registered in Zanzibar on 19th February 1985 under the Land Perpetual Succession Decree (Cap 101) complied with Section 58, Society Act No. 6 of 1995.
UWZ has 8,180 members comprising 3,628z women and 4,452 men. This organization is run and controlled by women and men with disabilities. It aims to mobilize its members to bring about lasting changes for the benefit of all women, men and children with disabilities and their families.
To achieve this, UWZ works closely with Government institutions, private sectors, national and international organizations as well as Disabled Peoples’ Organizations (DPOs) based in Zanzibar. UWZ is recognized nationally and internationally and has graduated from a service delivery to an organization advocating for human rights of people with disability (PwD) in Zanzibar.
UWZ also works with umbrella organizations such as Federation of Organizations of Disabled People in Tanzania (SHIVYAWATA) and Federation of Organizations of Disabled People in Zanzibar (SHIJUWAZA).
Vision
UWZ envisions an inclusive society where people with disabilities fully realize their human rights, live with dignity and equality, and actively contribute to sustainable development through participation in political, social, economic, educational, health, environmental and cultural programmes.
Mission
UWZ’s mission is to empower people with disabilities by advocating for policies and legislation that uphold their rights, raising community awareness about human rights, and building their capacity to lead in areas of non-discrimination, political, social, economic, educational, health, environmental and cultural. We aim to create an inclusive society where all individuals can participate fully in shaping a resilient and sustainable future.
FOUNDING OBJECTIVES
Bringing together all people with disabilities in the Islands under one organization of UWZ.
Advocating for the rights and equalization of opportunities for people with disabilities (PwDs) in Zanzibar.
Mobilizing PwDs with a view to assist them to become self-reliant through the establishment of income generating activities and provision of vocational training skills.
Establishing links with both national and international organizations for the benefit of people with disabilities in Zanzibar.
Examining and making the necessary follow-up thus ensuring that all laws and regulations governing the country do not discriminate people with disabilities.
STRATEGIC GOALS
- 1. Enhancement of rights and opportunities of people with disabilities through advocacy and other interventions.
- 2. Strengthening governance structures and practice for organizational sustainability.
- 3. Enhancing inclusion of children with disabilities in society.
- 4. Improvement in social participation, gender and economic development of people with disabilities.
- 5. Improving the organizational performance and sustainability.
ISSUES ADDRESSED
- 1. Strengthening networking and national and international collaboration.
- 2. Inclusion of people with disabilities in Government policies, laws and sectoral plans and budgets
- 3. Poor public knowledge and understanding on disability policy, legislation and UN Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities and reproductive health services and rights.
- 4. Limited employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
- 5. Limited access of different rights by people with disabilities caused by limited resource allocation and focal points in respective government ministries.
- 6. High cost of rehabilitation services which is compounded by poverty experienced by most families of people with disabilities.
STAKEHOLDERS
All DPOs based in Zanzibar
All NGOs based in Zanzibar
Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar
Association of Non-Governmental Organizations in Zanzibar (ANGOZA)
Federation of Organizations of People with Disabilities Tanzania (SHIVYAWATA)
Ministry of Health
Ministry of Education and Vocational Training
Ministry of Social Wealth, Elderly, Women and Children
Comprehensive Community Based Rehabilitation in Tanzania (CCBRT)
Women Fund Tanzania
Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO)
Legal Services Facility (LSF)
Foundation for Civil Society (FCS)
Save the Children
UNDP
French Embassy
Bank Details
Bank: People’s Bank of Zanzibar
Branch: Forodhani
Name of Account: Umoja wa Walemavu
Account number: 0406152000
