Plight of People with Disabilities: Hiding and living in the shadows
MUTARE - People with disabilities feel ignored and excluded by government from receiving the reservations they deserve as stated by the constitution of Zimbabwe.
Since time immemorial people with disabilities have been raising concerns that have seen little or no change.
The major issues raised by women with disabilities include rejection at workplaces, being left out in empowerment projects, failure to access loans, and health care, and to speak out among other issues.
As Zimbabwe joins the rest of the world in commemorating 16 days of Activism against Gender Based violence which will be held under the theme, Orange the world: Fund, Respond, Prevent, Collect, this week. Women with disabilities are pushing government to take this time to reinforce the fundamental human rights and freedoms as stated in the constitution of Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) lawyer, Peggy Tavagadza in an interview said that there is a serious need for government to achieve progressive realisation of rights especially rights for people with disabilities.
“All rights should be realised when it comes to people with disabilities that is right to health, right to shelter, right to clean water among other fundamental rights.
This does not mean that the state should wait until it attains a high level of development for its citizens to enjoy their rights,” said Tavagadza.
Tavagadza added that the disability act needs to be fully implemented.
“The disability act Chapter 17:01 section 9 (b) clearly states that no employer shall discriminate against any disabled person in relation to recruitment for work.
The constitution in section 56 clearly states that all persons are equal before the law and have the right to equal protection and benefit of the law .But when it comes to exercising it women with disability are left exposed and forgotten ,” said Tavagadza.
Selina Marewangepo, Manicaland Chapter Chairperson for Women Coalition of Zimbabwe ( WCoZ) in an interview said women with disabilities need to be empowered more especially during these times of closures, shut downs and restrictions on our freedom.
“COVID19 brought in a whole new change in everyone’s life but it is more for people living with disabilities who fail to speak and stand-up for themselves.
There has been a rise in domestic violence cases and it has been hard on women with disabilities the more. They feel vulnerable, unwanted and this is the time for government to offer lasting solutions and policy implementation to tackle the root of the problem,” said Marewangepo.
Esenath Nyamutore a resident of Dangamvura speaking at a Constitution Hub convened by WCOZ, Manicaland chapter recently said working in the formal sector is now a distant dream.
“I gave up a long time ago. I had to bury my qualifications where l cannot see them. I have been disappointed many times and l do not want to continue breaking my heart,” said Nyamutore who is now a vegetable seller.
Wadzanai Sithole of Sakubva cited that the discrimination and stigma over the years has worsened their plight.
“We are already suffering financially and the continuous discrimination worsens our plight. Women with disability feel the pinch worse than men because we have children to take care of,” said Sithole.
Freedom to the Disabled Persons of Zimbabwe (FDPZ) member Catherine Sithole of Penhalonga said she feels like a second class citizens and the issue has spiralled more during lockdown due to Covid 19.
“We need extra guidance and support because we live in poverty. We urge government to empower us and make funds available. Lockdown was the last degree of how we always feel all the time,” said Sithole.
Manicaland Region Coordinator National Association for non-governmental organisations (NANGO) Joseph Kauzani in an interview said government must fully commit itself to achieving progressively the full realisation of the rights of people with disabilities.
“Government should commit to a new social compact that puts people at the centre of development. The disability act needs to be fully implemented and be sensible to the needs of special groups,” said Kauzani.
Kauzani urged people with disabilities to read the constitution and be well equipped of the rights they deserve.
“The Constitution of Zimbabwe is fully inscribed with our rights. We cannot continue cry every time when we do not even know what is in the constitution or even make time to read and make reference to it ,” said Kauzani.