By Bigboy Madzivanzira
From 11 to 14 May 2026, six Organisations of Persons with Disabilities from Masvingo, Matabeleland South, and Mashonaland Central came together in Harare for an intensive capacity-building programme under SCOPDS.
Facilitated by Leonard Cheshire Zimbabwe and co-funded by the European Union with CBM, the training aimed to strengthen OPDs’ ability to influence policy and improve services for youth and women with disabilities.
For many district-level leaders, the challenge has never been commitment. “It’s having the tools to turn that commitment into action that influences policy and services,” said Bigboy Madzivanzira, Chairperson of the Disabled Women Support Organisation. “This training gave us those tools.”
The programme moved from strategy to practice. Participants began by analyzing the external and internal environments affecting OPDs, mapping stakeholders, and reviewing their mission, vision, and values to ensure alignment with emerging priorities. From there, the focus shifted to monitoring and evaluation.
OPD leaders worked through the fundamentals of M&E, Theory of Change, Logframes, and indicator development. In practical sessions, each organization drafted its own indicators and M&E plan, ending with group presentations and feedback.
A key focus was understanding what funders actually look for
As one training slide put it: _Before the proposal, funders look for Theory of Change, M&E Systems, Internal Policies, Financial Controls, and Evidence of Impact._ Without these, facilitators stressed, “there is nothing solid to fund.” The sessions on governance, proposal writing, and resource mobilization were designed to ensure each OPD leaves with those elements in place.
The final days centered on turning plans into action. Sessions covered governance, advocacy, and project design, culminating in hands-on proposal writing. On resource mobilization, participants learned to frame problems using evidence, profile beneficiaries, assess risks, and build realistic budgets. The emphasis was on leaving with usable drafts, not just theory.
“The lived experience in the room made that possible,” said Fredrick, Leonard Cheshire facilitator. “Participants are leaving with draft proposals and action plans they can use in their districts.”
Connecting training to national dialogue:
The timing of the training was deliberate. Immediately after, on 13–15 May 2026, Zimbabwe hosted the National Disability Symposium in Harare under the theme _“Towards an Inclusive Future, A Self-Assessment of the Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in Zimbabwe.”_ The Disabled Women Support Organisation will be represented at the symposium by its Director, who will use the skills and draft plans developed during the SCOPDS training to contribute to national discussions on policy implementation, inclusive education, employment, and social protection. For DWSO, the symposium is the space to push the shift from promises to measurable action.
For OPD leaders, the shift was clear. One participant from Matabeleland South reflected, “Before, we would go to the council and just complain. Now we know how to present data and demand accountability. That changes how they listen to us.”
Disabled Women Support Organisation is already planning next steps. The team will hold a feedback meeting with members, draft a six-month advocacy plan targeting accessible health and education services, and set up simple systems for record-keeping and member participation.
“Strong OPDs are the foundation for turning plans into action,” said Madzivanzira. “If we are resourced and organized, we can hold duty-bearers accountable and ensure no woman or girl with disability is left behind.”
About the Author
Bigboy Madzivanzira is Chairperson of the Disabled Women Support Organisation, and Founder and Director of Health Promotion Clinic Trust Zimbabwe. He is a registered Medical Rehabilitation Practitioner, an Accredited Wheelchair and Supportive Seating Practitioner, and a member of the Community Based Rehabilitation Africa Network (CAN).
Contact: 0773367913 | healthpromotionclinic@gmail.com