Veeslee
Mhepo
Four
universities participated in a moot competition which was organised by the
Institute for Community Development in Zimbabwe (ICOD Zim) and the Great Zimbabwe
University (GZU) at the Herbert Chitepo Law School to raise awareness on the
rights of People With Disabilities (PWDs) especially women and girls.
Participants
at the competition were GZU, University of Zimbabwe (UZ), Midlands State
University (MSU) and the Zimbabwe Ezekiel Guti University (ZEGU).
The
competitions ended on a high note with the hosts coming out first, followed by
MSU at second position, UZ at third and ZEGU last.
ICOD
Zim director Talent Maposa said the moot court competition was a platform to
promote the uptake and access of Sexual Reproductive Health Right (SRHR)
knowledge since women with disabilities suffer from sexual violence and abuses.
She
said most of the victims’ cases go unreported and they do not receive justice
because law officers often stigmatize and stereotype them.
“We
realized that women with disabilities still face numerous barriers such as communication
barriers. Moreover, most if not all health facilities in Zimbabwe do not have
Sign Language interpreters and materials written in Braille.
“Some
health facilities have stairs but do not have elevators and ramps that are
friendly to PWDs who want to access such health services. This moot competition
is therefore a platform for advocacy,” said Maphosa.
She
said ICOD Zim remained committed to lobbying, advocating and championing the
rights and fair opportunities for PWDs and WWDs.
Herbert
Chitepo Law School dean, Victor Nkiwane said he was excited by a chance for his
institution to compete in such a noble initiative.
“I
am excited to be part of the success of the moot court competition and I am
impressed by efforts being made to ensure that issues of PWDs are mainstreamed
by raising awareness through platforms as this,” said Nkiwane.
