WOMEN and child rights advocates have called for the inclusion of people with disabilities (PWDs), especially women, in leadership roles.
Deaf Women Included executive director Agnes Chindimba said there was need to craft strategies that create “an inclusive environment” that encourages participation from women with disabilities.
“Family is the first school for every child, hence should install leadership skills in children with disabilities from an early age, for example catch them young and should make girls with disabilities facilitate family discussions, giving them roles and responsibilities like everyone else and expecting them to perform just like their siblings without disabilities,” she told NewsDay Weekender in an interview.
“Families must value both male and female children, treating them equally, including in cases of inheritance or leadership in the family affairs. They must send both children to school regardless of gender or disability. There is a need to remove barriers that promote inequality.”
Chindimba said the National Disability Policy lacked legal standing without an Act of Parliament, hence the need to speed the Disability Bill process.
“The African Disability Protocol is a new one, so it has not made an impact as yet,” she said.
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In another interview, Lillian Gwanyanya, from Centre for Children with Disabilities, called for inclusivity at household level.
“Every home must give value to children with disabilities through creating an enabling environment that must be disability friendly to cater for their needs,” she said.
“Sexual reproductive health rights education should be inclusive and there is need to respect children with disabilities as human beings, not always focusing on their disabilities.
“It must be noted that those living with disability’s emotions must be respected and counsel them where necessary. There is need to create hope in them by clapping hands, smile whenever they have made an achievement. There is justification to allow them privacy whenever necessary.”
Self-Help Development Foundation director and chairperson of Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe, Muchanyara Mukamuri, said there was need to increase PWDs in leadership positions through enactment of inclusive laws and policies.
“We must have accessible education and training to women and girls with disabilities through mentorship, career development and accessible workplaces with positive media representation,” Mukamuri said.
“There is justification for awareness campaigns that empower them through disability pride and self-advocacy and training. There must be safe spaces for sharing experiences, set disability employment targets among other positive moves.”
Mashonaland West province legislator Mutsa Murombedzi (Proportional Representation) called on the government to implement quotas, provide leadership training, ensure accessibility and enforce anti-discrimination policies.
“Local authorities have to actively recruit women with disabilities and create inclusive, accessible environments for true participation,” she said.
“Zimbabwe, committed to the Convention on the Right of Persons with Disabilities, impacts women with disabilities by adopting inclusive laws and policies. We must quickly begin aligning our national legislation with the African Union's Protocol to enhance rights protection.”