Youth Development Initiative Trust (YDIT) and Southern African Parliamentary Support Trust (SAPST) held a meeting at SAPSTS offices in Harare. The main objective of the meeting was to discuss the research activity roadmap and share the Amplify Change project budget and work plan. The meeting fostered a synergy between YDIT and SAPSTS which will exist throughout the project in advancing SRHR for all PWDs in Zimbabwe. YDIT presented a detailed project overview, outlining its objectives, target beneficiaries, expected outcomes, and budget. YDIT and SAPSTS also discussed a detailed work plan outlining the project activities, timelines, and duties each responsible party was to undertake for the entirety of the project. SAPTS will serve as a consultant and they will be accountable for undertaking desk research and reviewing critical existing documents, policies, legislation, and national plans to support the project and key programs related to SRHR for PWDs in Zimbabwe.
M&E Strategy and Tools workshop
YDIT in partnership with the Tariro Foundation of Zimbabwe Trust held its first Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) workshop to develop and finalize the M&E strategy and tools for the project and also to gain knowledge and experience from other organizations that work with Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) or focuses on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) issues. A total number of 15 stakeholder organizations which includes Quadriplegics and Paraplegics Association in Zimbabwe (QUAPAZ), Nzeve Deaf Centre, Federation of Organizations for Persons with Disabilities in Zimbabwe (FODPZ), Manicaland Albinos Association in Zimbabwe (MAAS), Freedom to the Disabled Persons in Zimbabwe (FDPZ), National Council of the Disabled Persons in Zimbabwe (NCDPZ), Everyone’s Child Charities, Epileptic Support Foundation (ESF), SAYWHAT, Manica Youth Assembly (MAYA), Young People’s Network (YPN), Diamond FM, Kreative, City Health Department, ZNFPC and NANGO were in attendance with other representing various disability types like albinism, visual and audio impairments, crippled and physical on legs . The M&E workshop included informative sessions, group discussions, and the development of vibrant M&E strategies and tools.
One on One Interviews
Youth Development Initiative Trust and Tariro Foundation of Zimbabwe Trust conducted one-on-one interviews with PWDs to understand the personal experiences and challenges faced by individuals with disabilities in accessing SRHR services in Zimbabwe, to identify gaps and weaknesses in existing SRHR programs and policies concerning people with disabilities and to explore recommendations and suggestions for enhancing inclusivity and accessibility of SRHR services for individuals with disabilities. The main purpose of the interviews was to collect information on the challenges PWDs face in accessing SRHR and how they engage with duty-bearers and civic authorities. Interviews were carried out in different locations which include Zimunya, Sakubva, Dangamvura, Nartview, Yeovil, Hobhouse, Westlea, Chikanga, Maone, Mavima, Jinan6, Destiny, and Arda Transau. The interviews also consisted of different types of disabilities which include albinism, epilepsy, visual impairments, clubfoot, chipmunk cheeks, physical leg, spinal code injury, multiple sclerosis, neurological disorder, muscular dystrophy, and autism.
Focus Group Discussions
As part of research on the gaps and weaknesses in accessing sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) for people with disabilities (PWDs) in Zimbabwe, 3 focus group discussions were held and consisted of PWDs with various disabilities and stakeholders from different organizations that focus on SRHR issues. The main objectives for conducting focus group discussions were to gather insights and perspectives from PWDs on the challenges they face in accessing sexual and reproductive health and rights services/products and to identify the barriers to civic engagement for PWDs in Zimbabwe. The discussion brought about major challenges affecting PWDs and they were categorized as social, religious, cultural, legal/constitutional, and technical barriers. Recommendations were also drafted and were centered on raising awareness, legal reforms and accessibility revamps.
Strategic stories
Strategic stories were conducted to get personal narratives and experiences from individuals with disabilities regarding their challenges in accessing and exercising their SRHR in Zimbabwe. These stories involved a wide range of various disabilities which included those who are crippled, visual, and audio impairments, deformed hands, albinism, and right leg physical handicapped. PWDs were able to share the real-life stories they encounter when they try to access SRHR services or products especially when they visit health centers. They are facing serious predicaments of discrimination from nurses/doctors, infrastructure accessibility challenges, lack of specialists e.g., sign language interpreters, and lack of privacy. The strategic stories shed light on the need for legal reforms, infrastructure improvements, and improved communication skills.
M & E Strategy meeting
After the first 6 months of implementation Youth Development Initiative Trust (YDIT), in partnership with the Tariro Foundation of Zimbabwe Trust held an M&E analysis workshop to measure progress against planned outcomes. 20 stakeholder organisations were in attendance and actively engaged throughout the workshop. The workshop covered a recap of the overall research project, key research findings from the first period, the M&E Toolkit developed by YDIT and Tariro Foundation of Zimbabwe Trust, and coverage of the upcoming 6 months period activities. Recommendations and suggestions for the next period were laid out with stakeholders providing valuable insights and ideas to enhance project effectiveness and impact
Developing a shared goal with PWDs and Stakeholders
YDIT, in partnership with the Tariro Foundation of Zimbabwe Trust, held a workshop with PWDs and stakeholders to develop a shared advocacy goal for the project of investigating the gaps and weaknesses of PWDs and SRHR. The workshop included representatives from various PWD organizations, SRHR organizations, and service providers to ensure equal representation and inclusion and also to capture various perspectives and experiences. Research handbooks compiled by YDIT and TFZT were issued out to partakers and this handbook consisted of evidenced based insights collected by the staff through one on one activities, focus group discussions, strategic story telling. The findings in the Research handbook will be used as an entry point in strengthening advocacy efforts, fostering . During the workshop, group work sessions were carried out and partakers actively engaged towards the development of an advocacy goal. Building on the groups' presentations, the partakers worked collaboratively to define a clear, measurable, and inclusive shared goal for the project. After much deliberation and consensus-building, the partakers arrived at a shared goal which was comprised of three key elements:
1. A set-aside Assistive Medical Treatment Order (AMTO) budget for the PWDs.
2. The establishment of a dedicated Ministry of Disability Affairs to advocate for the rights and interests of PWDs, including in the SRHR domain.
3. Guaranteed representation of PWDs at the community and national levels, with at least one PWD representative in all SRHR-related decision-making bodies.
Developing a Disability Advocacy plan
Youth Development Initiative Trust, in partnership with the Tariro Foundation of Zimbabwe, organized a workshop in Murambi, Zimbabwe to develop a comprehensive disability advocacy plan which will address the gaps and weaknesses in SRHR for PWDs in Zimbabwe. The workshop brought together diverse stakeholders, including representatives from various PWD organizations, SRHR organizations, and service providers. A recap of the research report of SRHR for PWDs in Zimbabwe, which had been presented in a previous workshop on developing a shared goal. The situational analysis provided a solid foundation for the partakers to build a targeted and evidence-based advocacy plan to address these challenges. Building on the situational analysis, the workshop partakers revisited the three shared goals that had been identified in the previous workshop (development of a shared goal).
Mapping of other SRHR organisations
YDIT and Tariro Foundation of Zimbabwe Trust (TFZT) engaged other organizations through virtual and physical meetings to exchange information about best practices and lessons learned around sexual and reproductive health (SRH) programming as part of YDIT and TFZT's project titled "Using Research-Based Advocacy to Enhance PWDs, Duty Bearers, and Civic Engagement in Achieving SRHR for all PWDs in Zimbabwe by 2025". Physical visits were carried out at the Students and Youth Working on Reproductive Health Action Team (SAYWHAT) offices and virtual meetings with Manicaland Youth Assembly (MAYA) and Center for Resesarch For Peace &Development in Africa(CRPDA) were conducted through Zoom Video Communications.
Training of PWDs on Effective & Meaningful Advocacy
Youth Development Initiative Trust (YDIT), in collaboration with the Tariro Foundation of Zimbabwe Trust, conducted a special training workshop to empower Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and stakeholders on effective advocacy. The focus was on equipping participants with the skills necessary for meaningful and effective advocacy for their Sexual Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR). This workshop addressed the significant barriers PWDs face in accessing SRHR, ensuring their voices are heard and rights upheld.
Development of a position paper
Youth Development Initiative Trust (YDIT), in partnership with the Tariro Foundation of Zimbabwe Trust, held a workshop with PWDs and stakeholders to develop a comprehensive position paper focusing on a specific shared goal identified in the previous workshop which is setting aside the Assistive Medical Treatment Order (AMTO) budget for PWDs.8 stakeholder organisations were in attendance which included Quadriplegics and Paraplegics Association in Zimbabwe (QUAPAZ), Federation of Organizations for Persons with Disabilities in Zimbabwe (FODPZ), Manicaland Albinos Association in Zimbabwe (MAAS), Kreative Studios, Freedom to the Disabled Persons in Zimbabwe (FDPZ), Everyone’s Child Charities, Epileptic Support, and Saywhat. The workshop included 12 PWDs with visual and audio impairments, crippled, albinism, and motor impairments. The venue consisted of ramps and paved sidewalks for wheelchairs making it accessibility friendly to all PWDs
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