Minister: Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities are the most vulnerable to GBVF. The increased vulnerability to GBV that persons with disabilities face residing in institutions, inclusive of children in boarding school facilities, adults in residential care facilities, and adults and children in mental health institutions, has been well- documented but has not necessarily led to increased measures to respond to this heightened vulnerability. We need more acceleration and amplification of challenges faced by all vulnerable groups. Hazel: There is a lot of focus on women in the GBVF response, it seems that efforts for persons with disabilities and youth are not as amplified. What major challenges do they face when it comes to GBVF and how can we amplify their voices? Hazel: You recently launched Disability Rights Awareness Month (DRAM), what an achievement! From your perspective, why was it necessary to bring this awareness and what do you hope to achieve through the awareness campaign? Minister: Cabinet, in 2013, approved that November 3 – December 3 be observed as National Disability Rights Awareness Month and that 3 December be held as the International and National Day of Persons with Disabilities, with the objective of showcasing and celebrating the abilities and talents of persons with disabilities as productive members of society. Disability awareness seeks to promote an understanding of disability issues and the gains which are to be derived from the integration of persons with disabilities in every aspect of the political, social, economic, and cultural life of their communities. Youth
Minister: It was of great importance to have had the Summit and it has achieved the mandate of Accountability, Acceleration, and Amplification across all sectors of society. The Summit provides us with the necessary energy we need to continue into year 3 of the NSP and all other subsequent years moving forward. As the chairperson of the Inter-Ministerial Committee and the principal of the Department of Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities, we continue to be committed to ensuring that the NSP is institutionalised across all spheres of government. Hazel: What do you hope to have achieved within the ambit of the Summit? Minister: We find ourselves frustrated by integration, and implementation remains confined to the social cluster. Therefore, we have several clusters that show a slow integration of the NSP in government departments. The lack of inter- departmental and governmental collaboration is a driver in the slow implementation of the National Strategic Plan. The Department does not have provincial offices and it is dependent on working closely with the Offices on the Status of Women located in the offices of the Premiers. These offices are not established in local government. In order to address these challenges we do require more resources which will also enable us to factor in the department’s role in provincial and local government. Hazel: If you were to offer a critique to your ministry, what are the two main challenges you face and what advice would you offer to your team to improve its effectiveness and responsiveness?
photo by: Thando Gazide- DWYPD
Dec 2022 | Collective Action Magazine
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