Final Evaluation: “Access to Justice for Girls and Women with Disabilities – Zimbabwe”

Grantee: Leonard Cheshire Disability Zimbabwe

Country: Zimbabwe

Period:  January 2015 to December 2017

Grant amount: USD 400,452

Description: The project targeted violence in the family (intimate partner violence, physical violence, psychological and emotional violence, non-partner violence and sexual violence) and violence in the community (sexual violence). The overall goal was to ensure that women and girls with disabilities in Zimbabwe have improved safety from gender-based violence and are increasingly participating in the justice process on equal terms with others when their rights are violated.

Main findings of the evaluation:

• A total of 738 (82 per cent of the target of 900) girls and women with disabilities who are survivors of gender-based violence received practical assistance and disability expert support services, which enhanced their access to justice – around three-quarters reported improved well-being after participating in the justice process;
• At least 93 per cent of those interviewed felt empowered by their improved knowledge of their rights, the nature of violence against women and gender-based violence, and the steps they need to take; of these women, nearly two-thirds had taken self-protection measures;
• 90 per cent of the cases reached by the project proceeded to trial and 81 per cent of participants were assisted in accessing medical services.

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