adminSymptoms of depression and anxiety are more prevalent among women, whereas substance disorders are more prevalent among men. Depressive disorders account for 30 percent of the disability from neuro-psychiatric disorders among women, but only 12,6 percent of that among men. Conversely, alcohol and drug dependence accounts for 31 percent of neuro-psychiatric disability among men but amounts for only seven percent of the disability among women.
The reason why women suffer more from depression is their social circumstances such as hopelessness, exhaustion, hunger, over work, domestic and civil violence as well as economic dependence, just to mention a few. It must be borne in mind that poverty erodes intimacy and other personal relationships especially among partners. There is evidence that poor women experience more and more severe life events than the general population. Poor women have to deal with low quality housing, lighting, and diet and live in dirty environments and dangerous neighbourhoods. They are also likely to be vulnerable when they encounter problems in parenting and child care.
Men tend to externalise their suffering through substance abuse and aggressive behaviour, resulting in an under-reporting of psychological distress. Women on the other hand, more often suffer distress in the form of depression, anxiety and the like. This usually leads to mental illnesses which are usually associated with societal breakdown and social problems. Therefore understanding sources of ill-health for women means understanding how cultural and economic forces interact to undermine the social status of women. Besides, malnutrition in many parts of the world is found more frequently among girls than boys.
While employment may bring self-esteem and economic independence, lowly paid and unpaid labour may contribute to oppression of women by men. Many women work a “double day” maintaining households, raising children, carrying out economically productive activities in marketing and agriculture and in household-based industries. Women therefore work more hours than their husbands and over work may lead to exhaustion and stress.
It has also been documented that global and local traffic in women for commercial sex as well as household servitude entraps women leading to high rates of mental illness. The Ministry of Women Affairs, Gender and Community Development has made great strides in assisting women with the relevant knowledge and information of the various legal documents that can assist them escape the bondage of oppression and achieve economic independence. These include among others the Domestic Violence Act, the Legal Age of Majority Act (LAMA), and the Matrimonial Cause Act and so on. Programmes that are attuned to women’s voices, needs and hopes for the future have also been developed. Programmes that contribute to women’s control over economic, social and political resources have a direct and beneficial effect on women’s mental health.
The Government of Zimbabwe also enacted the Disabled Persons Act Chapter 17:01 to address issues related to disability. The Act provides for the establishment of a board whose functions include formulation and development of policies designed among others to achieve equal opportunities for disabled persons by ensuring that they obtain education and employment, participate fully in sporting, recreation and cultural activities and are offered full access to community and social services. The board has to formulate policies that help prevent discrimination against people living with disabilities and to ensure that all international treaties and agreements relating to disability are implemented in Zimbabwe, among other areas.
It is unfortunate that persons with disabilities continue to face problems ranging from lack of access to resources, justice and general stigma. In the case of Shumba vs Shumba Harare High Court Case
number HH-25-05, the Ministry of Women Affairs, Gender and Community Development, Family Laws Handbook states that the father denied paternity on the basis that the disabled child was a goblin.
This clearly demonstrates the extent of societal pressure against people with disability. While these are only a few examples highlighted by the media, numerous incidences remain unreported. The Sadc Protocol on Gender also calls upon member states to recognise people with disabilities and ensure that they are also included in issues of development.
One group of people living with disability that has not received much attention and publicity is the Down’s syndrome child. At present the book, Intellectually Handicapped Child points out that at present nearly four out of 10 children in a special school for intellectually handicapped are Down’s syndrome children. Down syndrome is also named Mongolism and is the result of a chromosomal abnormality.
In the book, The Intellectually Handicapped, the Down’s syndrome child has 47 instead of the normal 46 chromosomes. Sometimes the abnormality occurs spontaneously but in other cases it is familiar that is partly inherited. This normally happens to those born to young mothers.
The Down’s syndrome children also differ remarkably in their appearances, intelligence, and level of language as well as perceptual motor development. It is important to note that dysfunctions of the pituitary and nervous system may be associated with Down’s syndrome. Features normally include a shorter nose with a flat bridge and the palate bulges at the centre. The mouth can be small and the tongue is usually pushed out. Permanent teeth are acquired rather late and are often small and curled at the top, sex organs are also small and malformed.
It is also important to note that language development is also slow and the intelligence is limited. Generally the Down’s syndrome children have an intelligence quotient of below 70. The training of a Down’s syndrome child is usually the same as that of any other child. The child however needs particular medication, vitamins or hormones preparations in particular, before being admitted to school. It must be borne in mind that Down’s syndrome children benefit a lot from music therapy and they are also cheerful, friendly and loving and are keen at copying the behaviour of others.
It is unfortunate that society perceives persons living with disabilities differently. People living with disabilities hence continue to face a lot of problems ranging from lack of access to resources, justice and general stigma. Their plight can only be viewed positively if all of us value and respect them just like anyone else. People living with disabilities have rights too.
However dealing with an intellectually handicapped child must be one of the most difficult tasks for the parents and teachers. The mentally handicapped people has also a right to protection from exploitation, abuse and degrading treatment and were the condition is severe, the communities should assist by reporting on their behalf any form of abuse to the Victim Friendly Unit at police stations.
- Vaidah Mashangwa is the provincial development officer, Bulawayo province in the Ministry of Women Affairs Gender and Community Development. She can be contacted on 0712111592/09-889224.
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