Women and girls with disabilities in Zimbabwe speak about their challenges

Women and girls with disabilities in Zimbabwe’s Mutasa District in Manicaland Province were given a platform to share the challenges they face, among them Sexual Gender Violence (SGBV), Gender Based Violence (GBV), stigma and discrimination and the impact of Covid-19.

During a training  on lobbying and advocacy for  women and girls with disabilities conducted by the Federation of Organisations of Disabled People in Zimbabwe (FODPZ), a Spotlight Initiative implementing partner working with UNESCO, women and girls with disabilities shared the ordeals they face in their communities and workplaces on account of their gender and disabilities.

The stories shed light on the plight of women and girls with disabilities in Zimbabwe and how the Covid-19 pandemic has exacerbated the challenges they face. They lack basic personal protective equipment including masks.
58 year old Mary Mushayi (not real name) explained how she shared a mask with her entire family.