By Tatenda Mujeyi
Stakeholder’s at a GBV virtual meeting organised by Deaf Women Included emphasised the need for collaboration among government, civic society organizations(CSOs) if the stigma and challenges associated with disabled women in the Covid pandemic are to be met.
The need to establish collaboration between CSO’s and Government was viewed as central in the facilitation of better social conditions for the deaf and disabled.
“Therefore, it is important to establish space for in-the-ground collaboration among government institutions and CSOs to help raise the profile of issues affecting girls with disabilities and ensure their participation in peacebuilding and other processes. There is a need to promote accessible accountability mechanisms to ensure access to justice for WGWDs who experience rights violations including GBV,” DWI Director Agness Chindimba said.
The Chairperson of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Parliamentary Forum who joined the meeting from Zambia emphasised SADC member state’s efforts to align legislation with the practical GBV experiences.
“Efforts were being made by the Member States to ensure that the Model Law on GBV assists the work of the Caucuses. She said the model law enables national legislators to amend and replace some policies which do not adequately contribute to capacity building, engagement, and communication of GBV issues. She said it is the role of Parliamentarians to make sure that GBV victims, especially WGDs, receive assurance and support.” Ms Clare Musonza the SADC PF Chairperson said.
While the patriarchal nature of society remains a challenge for women in fully realising their potential, owing to the social and cultural bias thereof, disabled women had to face both feminine and disability seclusion.
The meeting also explored the challenges the COVID 19 pandemic had heightened on the disabled populations in relation to social, financial and sexual experiences as they were further secluded.
“In situations like these of Covid-19, there is a greater risk of human rights violation. Women and girls with disabilities are more vulnerable to physical, psychological, sexual, or financial violence. They are and vulnerable to neglect entrapment and degradation yet there is limited disability accessible GBV service and transport.” Chindimba also said.
The virtual meeting also underscored the need for accessibility of health care services for the disabled women as they were a key population for post pandemic national success.
“It is important to ensure that health care including SRHR and anti-gender-based violence supports are accessible and usable to WGDs. Women with disabilities are not just in need of ‘special protections’ but can meaningfully contribute to the society’s post-pandemic development.” Chindimba also said.
In the wake of the COVID pandemic it is important to note that efforts had been heightened to avail information and knowledge in sign language to facilitate full interaction.
“We have isolation centres before admissions. Our counsellors are trained on interacting in sign language. However more can still be done to ensure the services are too notch to meet the needs of everyone,” Musasa Project Director said Ms. Precious Taru said.
The meeting is imperative in the realisation of Sustainable Development Goal number 5, gender equality among other related sustainable actions.
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