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Wellington Dengu Herald Reporter
People living with disabilities last week urged Government to formulate a policy that will give them equal access to opportunities, especially those that have to do with selection to positions of authority and decision-making.
Speaking during a conference to celebrate women with disabilities, Presidential Council of Twenty Six representative Ms Elisa Ravengai, who is visually-impaired, said people living with disabilities should get equal opportunities like other people in society.
“As we are celebrating women living with disabilities, I applaud our President for giving us an opportunity to be in the Council of Twenty Six, she said. We are not excluding men with disabilities, but we are saying women are the most affected.
“Nearly one in five women have a disability and we are advocating for their rights. State authorities should remember the women because they are the ones who face this stigma most.
“Women with disability received double stigmatisation both from a gender and disability perspective. We are demanding to hold posts in key decision making positions as we say no to stigmatisation, but also it is my encouragement to fellow colleagues that you have to participate for you to be recognised, make an impact in your societies.”
Population Services Zimbabwe representative Mrs Angela Ziyenge said sexual reproductive education was important for the disabled.
“It is vital for the disabled to seek information to do with family planning and pregnancy so that they are advised on ways to practice it safely,” she said.
The 2019 theme for the conference was “Celebrating women living with disabilities”.
Florence Mudzingwa won the Women Living with Disability Making an Impact in Society Award and received a floating shield from Signs of Hope.
Online Reporter