Participation in community based rehabilitation programmes in Zimbabwe: where are we?

This paper presents the observations of participation on Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR), based on 20 programmes implemented in Zimbabwe. It arises out of a perceived lack of analysis of the community-based processes of participation that are active across the country. The main obstacles to CBR are seen as: poor knowledge of CBR; the cultural orientation regarding disability which do not encourage a positive outlook towards people with disabilities; unrealistic expectations of communities; poverty within communities which meant little time to participate in community development programmes; health workersÆ attitudes, that is, finding themselves in a position of authority; excessive centralisation of the health departmentsÆ organisation. Broadly speaking, arguments for participation are grouped under the following headings: efficiency, effectiveness, self-reliance, coverage, sustainability.