Zimbabwe Parents of Handicapped Children Association joined the world in commemorating the International Women’s Day. This year, the theme for International Women’s Day, “Women in leadership: Achieving an equal future in a Covid-19 world”.
Women should be given equal opportunity in accessing quality education, health services and in decision making. Women’s full and effective participation and leadership in of all areas of life drives progress for everyone. Yet, women are still underrepresented in public life and decision-making. Due to the lockdown caused by the Covid-19 pandemic there has been an increase in cases of gender-based violence being triggered mostly with economic hardship due to limited social, economic and political activities in the Country and at a global level. The major challenge that worsened the status of women in the pandemic is the underlying social status quo which excludes them from mainstream development, participation and leadership. their rights remain unrecognised in the public and private sphere.
In line with the 2021 theme, ZPHCA raised awareness campaigns through various forms to ensure that all young women and children with disabilities become fully aware of their rights and that they become self-advocates.
The above picture shows young women and girls with disabilities holding pictures which shows that all women should have equal opportunity in accessing all basic services. Women should be given equal opportunity as men to acquire any job of their choice since they are able to do the work that a man can do thereby promoting equality in society.
