Veronica Ngum

We took up the cause to bring about disability inclusion in GBV interventions, provision and access to services, ways of advocating for GBV-inclusive practices in the communities, and the importance of making use of the referral pathways. The community of persons with disabilities were thus introduced to improve their knowledge of types of GBV. Women, especially among persons living with disabilities, can now put to practice the knowledge gained to make informed decisions on the available and appropriate GBV services. These they can access when the need arises.

The project execution was not a smooth ride, for challenges cropped up. For example, the limited copies of the referral pathways could not go around to all places for the public that would need it. One other challenge was the assistance some of the persons with disabilities needed for the production of disability cards, birth certificates, and national identity cards.  We were thus unprepared to meet their needs, nor did we know where we could direct them for assistance. We were lost as to what information to give them but led us to realize that some of the persons with disabilities need income-generating activities that would economically empower them and minimize the chances of their being violated.

Despite these challenges, we found the continued raising of awareness of GBV and the need for the inclusion of persons with disabilities in my community vital starting points. For this reason, while other forms of help will still be pending, it would be necessary to also continue to organize training sessions among the trainees among whom should be included young women with HIV AIDS. This should continue online, offline, and through contact sessions. Already, a lot is being done, and I want to use this opportunity to appreciate Nkumu Fed Fed for this life-transforming project that they have brought to the limelight and which the European Union kindly funded under the project theme: “Stop Violence Now against Women and Girls”.