16 Nov 2014

Government needs to examine the way women and girls with disabilities are treated in matters related to HIV/AIDS and violence against women as they are the most neglected group.

The deputy permanent secretary in the Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs Ms Kelebogile Kgabi said at the international men’s day and the 16 days campaign against violence on women and children press briefing on November 11.

 Ms Kgabi said the message of peace in the community was a powerful one to benefit the whole community. “We need peace in our homes to prevent domestic violence, we need peace in our communities to prevent stigmatisation and discrimination in our neighbourhoods,” she said.

Ms Kgabi stated that the World Bank study showed that women with disabilities were even more likely to be victims of violence or rape than able bodied women. She further stated that they are less likely to be able to obtain police intervention, legal protection or prophylactic care.

Women with disabilities were also easy prey to rapists as many of them are not in a position to defend themselves from physical attack, she added.

“Women and girls with intellectual disabilities who have been sexually abused are often not able to receive legal protection as their capacity and competence to give evidence in a trial is questioned,” she said.

Furthermore, she said the ministry through the Gender Affairs Department for the second year running will be commemorating International men’s day on November 19, in Selebi Phikwe.

The 16 days of activism against violence on women and children will be commemorated on November 25 in Tsabong, under the theme; ‘from peace in the home to the world: let’s end violence against women and children with disabilities.’ ENDS