‘Weak law enforcement systems expose people with disabilities to gender-based violence,’ say PWDs advocates

PEOPLE with disabilities (PWD) have been left vulnerable to gender-based violence due to weak prevention and response systems in the law enforcement framework.

This was said by PWD advocates who have poked holes in the system law enforcement agents use, which disadvantages vulnerable groups in reporting cases of gender-based violence (GBV).

Speaking at a GBV awareness event hosted by the Forum for African Women Educationalists Zimbabwe (FAWEZI) in Harare recently, PWD advocate Susan Masona said the reporting framework at law enforcement agencies is a barrier to victims reporting.

She noted that most PWDs face barriers when they seek services in public institutions, which ordinarily must have safeguards to be inclusive.

“One gets to the police station and then the police officers will be just staring at that person because there is no communication. So, you find that GBV is [affecting] more people with hearing impairment or deaf people. Most cases are still pending. Some of those cases can go up to years and years,” said Masona.

GBV remains a scourge in Zimbabwean communities, with statistics indicating that 40 per cent of women aged between 15 and 49 have experienced violence.

Masona said GBV information has to be accessible to PWDs so that they are not excluded from the broader conversation.

“If you look at the deaf community, there are very few students who make it to tertiary [education]. Most children who are deaf are deprived of access to sign language.

“It is very crucial that gender-based violence programmes should be more accessible in the right formats that people with disabilities can understand,” she said.

Musona’s sentiments were echoed by various speakers throughout the engagement, highlighting the gravity of the problem.

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