Parenting education has numerous advantages for parents, kids and families of persons living with disabilities. Such programs can assist parents in discovering practical solutions for enhancing their child’s abilities, controlling difficult habits and fostering their development. It is also of great importance that parents and other stakeholders are educated on sexual exploitation and abuse preventative measures that can be taken to safeguard children and adolescents with disabilities.
For most families, parenting provides an ongoing source of happiness and joy as well as increased responsibility, anxiety and stress. Clearly, raising any child can be a difficult and emotional task for any parent, unfortunately, information pertaining to typical child development and childrearing strategies specific for parents with children with disabilities is very limited.
Zimbabwe Parents of Handicapped Children Association (ZPHCA) conducted a disability inclusive Parenting and Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) training. The project was done through the program ” Building Capacity and Culture of Protection from all Forms of Violence, Abuse and Exploitation of Children and Adolescents with Disabilities (CAWDs).
The objective of the training was to impart knowledge regarding disability inclusive parenting and to capacitate traditional leaders, DPOs, Faith-Based Organizations and Community based Organizations to facilitate case reporting, referral services and prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse of Children and adolescents with disabilities.
In attendance were representatives from Department of Social Development, Zvataida-UMP Rural District Council, Ministry of Youth, Traditional leaders, Faith based Organizations, Zvatinoda Special Needs and Care Club and other Community-Based Organizations. The training was a great success and our team managed to establish significant positive impact through the interactive and inclusive training.
