In our own voice, we encourage the government, civil society, county governments, society and family to hear us. We have much thoughts to say on:
- Women are over represented as victims in criminal cases, particularly SGBV. There is more than enough data on how many women are raped, girls defiled, and cases prosecuted. However, there is little to no data on how many women with disabilities survivors of SGBV. There’s also no safe houses, psychosocial support or follow up tailor-made for women and girls with dibslaities particular the deaf-blind who are targeted because of their dibslaities. There’s the assumption under the penal code of “defilement of an imbecile” which denies the right of women and girls with dibslaities to consent to sex leading to them being held in medical institutions “for their care and protection” leading to further abuse and denial of liberty. We have barely touched on denial of sexual and reproductive rights caused by this misconception. The Penal Code is being reviewed and this is one space where women and girls with dibslaities have to speak for themselves. We call upon women representatives especially at County level, the Judiciary, the Police, Court User Committees to ensure women with dibslaities take the lead in amendment of the Evidence Act, Penal Code, Sexual Offences Act and Penal Code. ensure at all in this case, we need to Women with disabilities need to be included in the criminal justice spaces as leaders as we need them to be there to spear head the change we seek to see in the criminal justice system as they know what affects them. Also in the county assembly we need more women with disabilities. As we seek for inclusion in this various spaces and invest in women we accelerate progress and forge a better world.
- Women are over represented as caregivers and we acknowledge the important role that male caregivers play over women and girls with disabilities, particularly on menstrual hygiene. There’s also the question of respite care, financial support, tax exemptions, housing and social safety nets for person who will never be able to earn an income. The Social Protection Bill, needs to address the specific needs of women and girls with disabilities and their caregivers. We need audience in public participation especially women and girls with multiple disabling conditions to ensure that Social assistance is fit for purpose and not fit for law. The UNCRPD Preamble speaks on nothing for us without us, and we need to be included in these conversations on social assistance if discrimination in service provision is to be addressed.
- African Charter on the Welfare and Rights of Children, Basic Education Act and Persons with Disabilities Act 2003 “children with disabilities shall not be excluded from free and compulsory early childhood, primary or secondary education, on the basis of disability. We actively call for INCLUSIVE EDCUATION as the only way to combat stigma is to see all children as equal. Remember, discrimination is a learned behavior.
- The Government has made commendable progress through Section 5 of the Primary Healthcare Act. However, Schedule 4 of the Constitution of Kenya, Health is a duty of the County Government. Matters such as occupational therapy, counselling services, disability specific assessments under the Ministry of Health Disability Assessment Tools 2022 therefore are supposed to be done at the Primary healthcare level. Unfortunately, these services do not exist at the local county hospitals yet necessary for women and girls with disabilities and their caregivers. We call on the Government and particularly the Council of Governors to ensure implementation of Section 5 of the Primary healthcare act includes disability support and mental health support services.
- There’s a need for employment inclusion for women with disabilities. We have had cases of women face discrimination at their workspaces either they are seen as people who cannot make their own decisions or they are not able to receive the same privileges and benefits of employment as other employees due to their disability. We urge employers to comply with Sections 5 and 6 of the Employment Act and Section 15 of the Persons with Disabilities Act.
In conclusion, we come to inspire you to see us as human. Discrimination on the basis of gender, sex, age, dis/ability has long influenced how we move in this world and we are here today to inspire you to set that aside. See the Person, human just like you, with an equal voice to be heard.
