RESEARCH COUNCIL OF ZIMBABWE

Leadership, Innovation and Development

MSU-UNICEF-RCZ CONFERENCE ON BUILDING

RESILIENCE FOR CHILDREN WITH DISABILITY
IN ZIMBABWE

PROGRAMME
Conference Theme “(Re)imagining a Better World Post-COVID-19 for Children with Disabilities”

28 - 29 November 2022
 MSU-UNICEF-RCZ CONFERENCE ON BUILDING RESILIENCE FOR CHILDREN WITH DISABILITY IN ZIMBABWE

DAY 1: MONDAY, NOV 28

TIME ACTIVITY FACILITATOR VENUE
Arrival of Delegates and Registration
8:30-9:00 USHERS Council Room
9:00-10:00 SESSION A: OPENING CEREMONY Council Room
SESSION CHAIR: PROF. D. MUNODAWAFA
9:00-9:10 Introductions Executive Director Council Room
Research and
Innovation,
Prof L. Chikoko
M
A 9:10-9:20 Welcome Remarks Pro VC Research, Council Room
Innovation and
Industrialization
Prof G. Mugumbate

9:20-9:35 Vice Chancellor’s Address Vice Chancellor Council Room

Prof V.N Muzvidziwa

9:35-9:50 UNICEF Country Representative’s Address Dr. Tajudeen Oyewale Council Room
Remarks
9:50-10:00 Promotional Video: Embracing Inclusivity at MSU MSU Technical Team Council Room
10:00 Announcement of the conference activities Prof. D. Munodawafa Council Room
1000-1010 Group Photo Public Relations Council Room
Foyer
10:10-10:30 HEALTH BREAK, WITH MUSICAL ENTERTAINMENT
10:30-10:00 SESSION B: PANEL, PAPER AND POSTER PRESENTATIONS
SESSION CHAIR: PROF. W. MAGWA

10:30-10:45 Council Room

The Role that research can play in improving the quality of life for Mr. Josphat Chiyo
children with disabilities
Q&A
Council Room
PAPER PRESENTATIONS: ROUND 1
11:00-11:45 Council Room
Session Chair: Prof. E. Chauraya

Theme: Advancing inclusion of persons and children with disabilities into the mainstreams
of development sectors

o Re-thinking inclusivity in education beyond Covid-19: A content analysis. Dr. Alice

Dhliwayo (Mkoba Teachers College).
o Inclusive Education among Learners with Visual Impairments in Masvingo North
District: Towards a better post-COVID-19 Era. Prof. S. Muchemwa (MSU).

o Disability inclusion: Access to covid 19 information and awareness for people with
PM visual impairment in Zimbabwe: the missing link: the case of Harare Central Business
District (CBD). Dr. Emmanuel Munemo (ZOU).
Q&A
Session Chair: Prof. S. Jerie
Theme: Natural disasters, climate change, and the protection of persons with disabilities

o Rapid assessment on the impact of state-sponsored disability insensitive distance

learning platforms on children with disabilities in Zimbabwe. Mr Nicholas Nicodimus
& Mr. Nyasha Nyatondo (SOS Children Villages Zimbabwe).
o Exploring natural disaster preparedness for the protection of persons with disabilities in
the vulnerable areas of Chipinge, Zimbabwe. Dr Pure Maswoswere (MSU)
o An integrative review of challenges faced by children with disability and
supernaturalism in the society. Dr. Kebiat Mukuze (MSU).

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Conference Theme “(Re)imagining a Better World Post-COVID-19 for Children with Disabilities”
 MSU-UNICEF-RCZ CONFERENCE ON BUILDING RESILIENCE FOR CHILDREN WITH DISABILITY IN ZIMBABWE

Council Room
11:45-12:30 PANEL DISCUSSION Moderators
Topic: ‘Enabling’ children living with disabilities Prof. D. Munodawafa/
Panelists: Dr. Muridzo
Mrs. Khumalo (NAPH)
Dr. Obadia Moyo (NCDPZ)
Dr. Goshomi (WUA)
Dr. T. Manyangadze (BUSE)
Mr. H. Masaya (NASCH)

PAPER PRESENTATIONS: ROUND 2

Council Room
12:35-1250 Session Chair: Prof E. Mangwaya

o Child sensitive social policies: A critical tool in promoting the rights of children with
disabilities in post-covid Zimbabwe? Dr Eve K. Chandaengerwa (Nee Musvosvi)
(MSU).
Q&A
1250 Acoustic and Saxophone Session Music and Musicology Council Room
-13:00
PM 13:00-14:00 Foyer
LUNCH WITH MUSICAL ENTERTAINMENT
14.00
AFTERNOON MIXED SESSION
SESSION CHAIR: PROF. W. MAGWA
14:05-14:40 Council Room
Anchor Chair: Prof HT Ngoshi

Round Table Discussion

Topic: Living with a child with disabilities

ALL
Exhibiting Space
TOUR OF EXHIBITS MSU, UNICEF, RCZ,
AND OTHER
STAKEHOLDERS
15:00 Interactive Tea Break, Networking with entertainment
15:30 END OF DAY 1 SESSIONS
DAY 2: TUESDAY NOV, 29

A Council Room
M 8:30-9:00 Arrival & Registration (USHERS)
ABSTRACT PRESENTATIONS
SESSION CHAIR: PROF CHIKOKO
Council Room
9.00-9.10 RECAP OF DAY 1 PROCEEDINGS & OVERVIEW OF ABSTRACT PRESENTATIONS:
DR CHAGWIZA
Council Room
9:10-930 Session 1: Promotion of partnerships and innovations by and for persons and children with
disabilities.
Chair: Dr U Saidi

o Building bridges between the guardian and the educator for the visually impaired
learner during a global crisis in rural schools: The case of Shurugwi District
primary schools, Midlands Province of Zimbabwe. Ms Mavis Mbiriri (MSU).
o Framework for promoting partnerships and innovations: Perspective for people
and children living with disabilities. Dr. Gibson Muridzi & Sifikile Songo
(Manicaland SU).
Q&A

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Conference Theme “(Re)imagining a Better World Post-COVID-19 for Children with Disabilities”
 MSU-UNICEF-RCZ CONFERENCE ON BUILDING RESILIENCE FOR CHILDREN WITH DISABILITY IN ZIMBABWE

Council Room
9:30-10:00 Session 2: Advancing inclusion of persons and children with disabilities into the
mainstreams of development sectors
Chair: Dr U Saidi

o Challenges encountered by primary school learners with physical disabilities in

marginalized communities of Zimbabwe: A case of Chivi District. Prof Erifitha
Chauraya & Prof. Stella Muchemwa (MSU).

o Experiences of learners with intellectual disabilities on their education during the

peak of Covid-19. A case study of primary schools in Rosa Chiweshe rural. Ms
Sarrah Risingazive (MSU)

Q&A
10:00-10:30 HEALTH BREAK
Session 3: Policies and laws promoting the rights of CwDs Council Room
10:30-11:00
Chair: Dr W. Kusena

o Count Us In, We Matter Also!’ Inclusion for Sustainable Development in the Post
Covid-19 Era. The Case of Children with Disabilities in Zimbabwe Education
Sector. Ms Nyevero Maruzani (MSU).
o Experience of Children with Disabilities on accessing health. Information during
COVID-19. Mr. Rodgers D. Manungo & Mr. Tatenda Dohwe (GZU)
Q&A
Council Room
11:00-11:30
Session D: Promoting the rights of children born to parents with disabilities
Chair: Dr W. Kusena

o Promoting the rights of children born to parents with disabilities. Dr. Obadia Moyo
(NCDPZ).
o Supporting children with disabilities during the Covid-19 pandemic: Reliving
parental experiences and challenges faced. Dr. Fungai Mutema & Ms
Itayi Mariko (MSU).
o Disability policies and resilient resilience building among children with disabilities
(CwDs) in Zimbabwe's post-Covid-19 era. Mr. Tapiwa Sisimayi (MSU).
Q&A
Session E: Stigma, discrimination and bullying of CwDs Council Room
11:30-12:00
Chair: Dr. J. Mutambara

o Adverse childhood experiences and associated COVID-19 distress: gender –

based violence an emerging non communicable disease among girls with
disabilities. Dr Nogget Matope (MSU).
o Stigma and disability: A permanent imprint on the mind of a child with disability. Dr
Sibangaliswe Maphosa (MSU).
Q&A
Session F: Disability and superstition in society Council Room
12:00-12:30
Chair: Dr. Chikowore

o Climate Vulnerability and Building Resilience in Inclusive Home-Based Early

Childhood Development and Learning in Zaka and Bikita District in Masvingo. Dr.
Samson Mhizha (UZ).
o Towards the demystification of conflicting narratives on Children with disability in
both the bible and Shona tradition – In search of building and enforcing resilience in
Zimbabwean children with disabilities in the post-Covid-19 era. Dr. Tyaranayi
Charamba (MSU).
Q&A
Council Room
12:00-1:00
Session G: Natural disasters, climate change, and the protection of persons with
disabilities

Chair: Dr. G. Tarugarira

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Conference Theme “(Re)imagining a Better World Post-COVID-19 for Children with Disabilities”
 MSU-UNICEF-RCZ CONFERENCE ON BUILDING RESILIENCE FOR CHILDREN WITH DISABILITY IN ZIMBABWE

o Natural disasters, climate change, and the protection of persons with disabilities:
Towards Children with disabilities sensitive disaster mitigation strategies. Mr
Happya Manyuni (WUA).

o Understanding the needs of adolescents living with HIV and disability in hydro-
meteorological disasters prone areas in Zimbabwe. Mr. Tawanda Manyangadze
(BUSE).

o Experiences of Children with disabilities in accessing health services during the

COVID-19 period. Linnet Zhou (MSU).
Q&A
Foyer
1:00-2:00 LUNCH
Council Room
14:00-14:15 Interlude Skir Tsvakai (MSU)
Session H: Medical cover and treatment of CwDs as a function of health systems Council Room
14:15-14:45
performance
Chair: Dr. G. Tarugarira

o Mental health challenges faced by children with disabilities during COVID -19 (Mr.
Rodgers D. Manungo & Mr. Tatenda Dohwe (GZU).
o Mental welfare of IDPs during and after Covid-19 crisis with disabilities: A call for
action for the civil society. Ms Petty Mutuswa (St. Daniels Rehabilitation
and Vocational Training Centre)

Council Room
14:45-15.15 Session I: Building resilience of persons with disabilities
Chair: Prof. S. Muchemwa

o Building resilience for Persons with disabilities. Ms Noreen Mapfidza

(Development Practitioner).

o Resilience-focussed intervention for children with learning disabilities in primary

schools in Chimanimani District, Manicaland, Zimbabwe. Dr. Ennie Manyumwa
& Dr. Emely Muguwe (MSU).
o Resilience-focussed intervention for children with learning Disabilities in
primary schools in Chimanimani district, Manicaland, Zimbabwe. Dr. Emely
Muguwe & Dr. Ennie Manyumwa (MSU).
o Impact and resilience of children with ADHD and their caregivers during the
Covid-19 and lockdown. Dr. Julia Mutambara (MSU).
o Challenges and Coping strategies of children with disabilities in Zimbabwe during
COVID 19 period. Dr. Treda Mukuhlani & Ms Nandi Oneile Nkomo (MSU).
Q&A
Closing Remarks Council Room
15:15-15:25

UNICEF

15:25-15:30 Council Room

Vote of Thanks: Prof. U Guyo
15:35
DEPARTURE

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Conference Theme “(Re)imagining a Better World Post-COVID-19 for Children with Disabilities”