Sex, Intimacy and Reproductive Rights for Women with Disabilities in Zimbabwe: A Snapshot of the Views of Women with Disabilities in Harare

Abstract

This paper is derived from study on sexual and reproductive rights of women with disabilities in Zimbabwe. The paper explores the sexual and reproductive rights (SRR) and practices vis a vis women with disabilities in Zimbabwe. This is done with the view of drawing insights and policy recommendations on sexual and reproductive rights for women with disabilities in Zimbabwe. The study argues that there are serious gaps in SRR policies and their implementation for WWDs. While the availability of acceptable and supportive public policy and legislation indicates the beginning of a commendable process of services delivery to all stakeholders, this alone is not sufficient unless supported by effective systems and processes for effective delivery. Formulation and adoption of a policy or piece of legislation does not automatically translate to its implementation and/or enforcement. The study recommends change of mind-set for both the cultural environment and law with regards what is acceptable and legal sex; domestication and enforcement of international and regional disability laws; redesign of national laws to clearly address SRRs for WWDs; communication and advocacy of disability laws to the people. follow-ups and performance evaluation of families and communities on how they treat WWDs vis a vis their SRR; and involvement of WWDs in policy formulation.

Keywords: Sex, women, disability, rights, reproductive, disability.

DOI: 10.7176/JCSD/51-03

Publication date:September 30^th 2019