Maputo, 5 Apr (AIM) – The Australian Government has disbursed four million Euros to support the empowerment of disabled women and girls, in the districts of Dondo, Buzi, Gorongosa and Beira, in the central Mozambican province of Sofala.
The amount was made available through Australian Development Cooperation. The initiative, named “In Power”, will last for five years and it will be implemented by the organization Light for the World.
“We hope to reduce the vulnerability of disabled women and girls, empowering their families and communities by improving access to basic health and education services. We also will extend their active participation in community activities”, said Zacarias Zicai, director of Light for the World, cited in Wednesday’s issue of the Beira daily “Diário de Moçambique.”
According to Zacai, the initiative will directly support a total of 18,000 people with financial difficulties.
“Indirectly, it will support 38.400 individuals in a difficult financial situation. Women and girls face barriers in access to their rights due to generalized discrimination and social stigmas against women”, the director explained.
Studies, he added, point out that disabled women and girls are more exposed to gender-based violence, emotional abuse and sexual assault.
“Disabled women and girls tend to be more isolated and incapable of denouncing abuses. In some cases, they relay on the offender to survive”, he said.
(AIM)
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