Disabled women don’t feel safe

Local stakeholders joined the Gauteng Department of Community Safety at the Kwa-Thema Old Age Home to raise awareness about safety for women with disabilities on April 11.

The MEC for Community Safety, Faith Mazibuko, was present to hear the grievances of disabled women living in the CoE.

Among the stakeholders present was the Black Womxn Caucus, a feminist movement fighting GBVF. The convener of the movement, Jane Chikwado, spoke about the programme’s purpose.

“It is to make the community aware that women living with disabilities are still women. We want to give people the opportunity to tell the MEC about their challenges because we feel their issues are not given enough attention. They are entitled to the same services other community members are entitled to,” she said.

Kate Malope, a paraplegic woman who represents Bring Change in Me (BCIM), an NPO that advocates for disability rights, commented about the challenges disabled women and girls face.

“These women are so vulnerable; they are faced with GBVF. The rape rates among disabled women are very high because most things happen to them in secret. That’s why many disabled young girls can be sexually assaulted, and nobody knows,” she explained.

She encouraged all women living with disabilities to exercise their rights by voting in the upcoming elections.

“As we approach the elections, we want them to know it is important to vote so their challenges will be addressed.

“We are happy about today’s event because it will highlight the issues that disabled women and girls go through in their societies and even in their homes,” Malope said.

Disabled women are not only affected by sexual abuse, but they can also suffer harm while doing ordinary activities.

“We do not feel safe using public transport, especially taxis. It is the way we get into taxis because taxi drivers are not educated or sensitised on how to handle a commuter with a disability.

“Sometimes, when someone is helping you climb into a taxi, there is room for abuse because their hands might roam all over your body.

“There are girls with mental disabilities being sexually abused because the perpetrators know they cannot go to the police station to lay charges,” she explained.

She concluded by saying sensitisation must happen among community members and the SAPS. The MEC addressed the community members by saying panic buttons, as a safety measure, will be implemented to help disabled persons.

“We will come and assist you to load the panic button on your phones. You can load this panic button on smartphones and manual phones. When you need help, you click on the panic button and the nearest patroller or warden will come and assist you.

“We will also install CCTV cameras in all areas of Kwa-Thema. The police can then access the CCTV footage on their phones to see what is happening in the community,” Mazibuko assured.

She urged Crime Prevention Wardens to “adopt a disabled person” by showing extra care to people living with disabilities by frequently checking in on them.