Deputy Minister Professor Hlengiwe Mkhize to host webinar on access to justice for persons with disabilities post-Covid-19
Deputy Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Professor Hlengiwe Mkhize will host a webinar to engage government, civil society, organisations of and for persons with disabilities and disabled persons, on access to justice under the sub-theme: “Creating an accessible justice system that seek to address the risk of compounded marginalisation and assisted decision-making legal framework”.
Women, youth and children with disabilities are often seen by their societies as weak, worthless and, in some cases, sub-human, and such perceptions heighten their risk of being victims to violence. The situation is exacerbated by other factors like gender, race and class, as all these work together to create vulnerability to violence and abuse. Research shows that disability reduces opportunities for education, work, training and employment, particularly for women in disadvantaged communities, magnifying their vulnerability to violence.
To date, efforts to prevent violence against women and girls with disabilities have been hampered by insufficient evidence, particularly from low and middle-income countries. An estimated 80% of women and girls with disabilities globally live in low and middle-income countries, where they are more likely to be poor, less educated, and at a greater societal disadvantage.
It is for these reasons that Deputy Minister will host this webinar to raise awareness to the need for police services and court services to be accessible to ensure women, youth and children are able to receive the support needed during times of difficulty.
Members of the media are invited as follows:
Date: Friday, 27 November 2020
Time: 10:00-12:00
Platform: Microsoft Teams (request link: Emilie.olifant@women.gov.za)
Enquiries:
Ms Mmabatho Ramompi
Cell: 076 480 3513
E-mail: mmabatho.ramompi@women.gov.za
Mr Shalen Gajadhar
Cell: 060 979 4235
