Child rights capacitation for children with disabilities
Child rights capacitation for children with disabilities
April 29, 2023
Nontobeko Sibanda
Choice News Africa
Gwanda – Matabeleland South based Nkomwa Foundation Trust (NFT) is moving fast in empowering disability communities, as witnessed by a recent training on children’s rights and sexual crime to thirty (30) children with disabilities in Gwanda.
Children with disability working on an exercise during the workshop. Choice News Africa
The workshop was sponsored and supported by Legal Resources Foundation (LRF), targeting groups of children between the ages of 10-14, cutting across all type of disabilities.
Speaking at the workshop, NFT Director Pick Nkomwa appreciated the opportunity afforded to the children with disability.
Children who attended the workshop posing for a picture with facilitators. Choice News Africa
“I am so touched by the overwhelming response from the children who attend this workshop. Many thanks to the parents for trusting our organisation with their children.” He said.
According to the constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No 20) ACT 2013, every child regardless of boy or girl under the age of eighteen years, has the right to information, as all children are innocent and full of hope, their childhood should be happy and loving.
Most children are vulnerable, which means they are in a weak position and open to abuse because of age. Children can survive normally, if they are given the opportunity to live satisfactory lives and develop to their full potential with their rights fulfilled and safeguarded.
Violation of children’s rights has reached alarming level in communities. A day cannot pass without cases of children’s rights abuse.
In almost a number of Nkomwa Foundation Trust activities within communities, the organization noted with great concern high proportions of violations on children with disabilities.
As the children’s defender, the workshop was convened with the technical help from Legal Resources Foundation.
Persons with disability are known to be at a higher risk of being subjected to sexual abuse and other forms of Gender Based Violence, than those that have no disability.
In a state-specific focus group, researchers found the lifetime risk of sexual abuse to be 300 percent greater amongst persons with disabilities than those without disabilities, as reported in the New Mexico Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs, Inc.
Living Conditions for persons with disabilities Survey/LCPWDS (2013) indicate that in Zimbabwe more girls and women with disability (2.5%) reported experiencing sexual violence before reaching the age (18) as compared to women without disabilities.
Just as young people need special protection, persons with disabilities, for example persons with intellectual and psycho-social disability also need protection.
They may be exploited and persuaded to consent to something when they really do not understand the meaning or effect of what they are agreeing to.
The children’s workshop was interactive and participatory with games and role plays employed to ensure that children understand the concept.
NFT Founder also mentioned topics covered that included the children rights as enshrined in the Constitution of Zimbabwe of 2013, sexual crimes, types of sexual crimes, activities and steps to take when one become a victim.
“These are rare opportunities as I never had these awareness opportunities as we grow up as children with disability. The interaction I witnessed among us and children makes me happy. Lastly, I am humbled by our technical and resource partner Legal Resources Foundation for the support,” added Nkomwa.
