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Writes Nhau Mangirazi
Communities must stop the silence and stigma on women and girls with disabilities affected by violence as it has lifetime effects on physical, mental, sexual, and reproductive health.
The call was made by the Federation of Organizations of Disabled People in Zimbabwe (FODPZ) on the commemoration of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on 25 November 2023.
This year’s theme is Invest to Prevent Violence against Women and Girls.
FODPZ’s Disability Inclusion Specialist Elisa Ravengai noted that violence against women and girls (VAWG) including those with disabilities remains largely ‘undetected and unreported’ due to the impunity, silence, stigma, and shame surrounding it.
‘‘It is critical to note that violence against women and young girls continues to be a stumbling block towards achieving inclusive equality, development, peace as well as fulfillment of women and girls’ rights. Negative impacts of violence on women and girls with disabilities can last a lifetime, affecting physical, mental, sexual, and reproductive health,’’ said Ravengai.
She added that the promise of the Zimbabwe National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to leave no one behind cannot be fulfilled without putting an end to violence against women and girls.
‘‘Every effort invested in preventing violence against women is a step towards a safer, equitable, inclusive and prosperous nation,’’ said Ravengai.
FODPZ acknowledges the efforts of the Government of Zimbabwe to its commitment to address the problem of domestic violence through the enactment of various laws and policies that ensure maximum protection of survivors of GBV.
The policies include the Domestic Violence Act (Chapter 5:06), the Criminal Codification Reform Act (Chapter 9:23), the Administration of Estates Act (Chapter 6:01), the National Gender Policy, and the Gender-Based Violence Implementation Strategy and Work Plan.
‘‘However, despite these efforts, Zimbabwe grapples with high incidences of Gender Based Violence (GBV) as women and young girls including those with disabilities are facing violence and abuse on a daily basis. It is worth noting that while violence affects women everywhere, women and girls with disabilities, adolescent girls, and older women among others often face even greater difficulty in having their voices heard and accessing support.’’
She added that FODPZ recognizes and joins the world in acknowledging the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women commemorated every year on the 25th of November.
‘‘The 25th of November marks the first day of the global campaign of 16 Days against Gender-Based Violence (GBV). The International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and the subsequent 16 Days of Activism against GBV presents an opportunity to call for local and global action to increase awareness, electrify advocacy efforts, and share knowledge and innovations to help end all types of violence against women and girls,’’ she added.
‘‘Therefore, investing in ending violence against women and girls is critically essential for the well-being of women and girls, particularly including those with disabilities,’’ Ravengai added.
She called on a holistic approach among communities and everyone to end violence against women and girls living with disabilities.
‘‘FODPZ appeals for strong participation and collaboration between government and the disability community including parents, Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs), Disability Service Organizations (DSOs), Women`s rights organizations, Civil Society Organizations, academia, media, and community leaders among many other relevant stakeholders.
‘‘We all need to change the story by challenging misogyny and violence, and ensuring that women and young girls including those with disabilities are heard. Women and girls everywhere should be able to access support and justice in order to end violence once and for all. Let`s all heed the call to consciously invest in the end of violence against women and in particular women and girls with disabilities,’’ Ravengai noted.
Globally, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women is commemorated on the 25th of November annually.
The Minister of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Monica Mutsvangwa said that the government has strategic priorities that include the implementation of the Plan of Action of the High-level Political Compact and the National GBV Strategy, launched in December last year.
A representative of Hon Senator Monica Mutsvangwa, officiating the Zimbabwe Spotlight Initiative in Harare, said there are national blueprints for addressing GBV, and promoting and protecting the human rights of women and girls as citizens.
She called for dialogue on the way forward collectively.
‘‘The Zimbabwe government has a strong commitment to achieving SDG 5 and to the creation of a society where women and girls can freely, without the threat of violence in the public or private spheres, exercise choice, have a voice and agency, and are respected, valued, and treated as equal citizens,’’ concluded Mutsvagwa.
Nhau Mangirazi can be contacted by email at nmangirazi@gmail.com