Outreach reveals marginalization of persons with disabilities
Outreach reveals marginalization of persons with disabilities
October 26, 2023
Monitor Beloved Ncube
Choice News Africa
Gwanda – Matabeleland South’s Gwanda North constituency has this month been among the luck to realise Nkomwa Foundation Trust’s outreach on a disability sensitization campaign, as it has also reveals the exclusion and marginalization of people with disabilities.
Outreach participants following proceedings in Gwanda North. Choice News Africa
The organisation’s busy week has been packaged with disability sensitization, sexual gender-based violence as well as drug and substance abuse. This was done in collaboration with National Aids Council and Masakhaneni Trust.
Nkomwa founding director Pick addressing participants in Gwanda North. Choice News Africa
The interaction and responses from the community members were a sign that the topics discussed were long overdue. In an interview with interview Councilor for Ward two, Zwelibanzi Mpofu, he said, “People with Disabilities are marginalized in the entire ward since it is evident that none of them is part of any developmental committee.”
A number of areas were privileged to be chosen during the progression of meeting and these are Shake, Enyandeni, Mkwidzi and Sibhula.
All these campaigns had maximum attendance, cooperation and contributions. As a disability led organisation, the campaigns were targeting people with disabilities, caregivers together with community leaders.
Nkomwa Foundation Trust Director Mr Pick Nkomwa said, “We are pleased with campaign in all communities. There was maximum participation by the communities. Sadly, we have noted high rate of SGBV against persons with disabilities, as many cases going unreported.
Perpetual discrimination, stigmatization and social exclusion in decision making structures in all communities. We hope that with continuous engagement, lives of persons with disabilities will change. Multispectral approach to disability issues way to go”
Persons with Disabilities continue to suffer stigma and discrimination in the communities due to ignorance, and stereotypes that are generated in the communities. Such negative attitudes and perceptions have also affected community leaders and service providers who appear to regard persons with disabilities as charitable cases that are a burden to society.
Ward 4 Councilor Nokuthula Moyo acknowledged the training as a successful one, she confirmed that PWDs have been looked down upon and promised change as long as she lives.
As a former Case Care worker, she was also impressed by the passion towards disability rights and the gospel against abuse. She promised to work with Nkomwa Foundation Trust for the betterment of the lives of people with disabilities in her ward.
Another Councilor, Zwelihle Nyathi, of Ward eight, also commented that the training was pleasing and that the community participation was impressive. He also confirmed that people with disabilities are still hidden in the homes.
The village heads in all communities admitted the abnormality and social exclusion of persons with disabilities and they all promised to start changes to ensure all people are treated equally.