Disability, Gender, Violence, and Displacement in Zimbabwe: A Hidden Crisis

Persons with disabilities are among the most vulnerable groups in any humanitarian crisis, including displacement situations. Disability and gender may intersect and compound risks, exposing individuals to various forms of violence, marginalisation, and other detrimental effects. For example, women and girls with disabilities are particularly vulnerable to sexual, physical, and economic violence, whereas men with disabilities are more likely to be harassed or subjected to economic exploitation. At the same time, both groups may encounter social stigma and have difficulties accessing justice. This paper aims to demonstrate how disability and gender intersectionality may affect persons with disabilities in respect of experiencing violence and displacement. A qualitative case study design was used for this purpose. In particular, the present study employed individual semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and document analysis in order to explore the situation of forcibly displaced persons with disabilities, including their social inclusion and access to humanitarian aid. Participation was voluntary, and 23 respondents, among whom there were also policymakers and humanitarian practitioners, were recruited for individual interviews and focus group discussions. Document analysis allowed cross-verifying the information and assessing the normative framework further. The analysis followed a thematic approach, and the study was informed by intersectionality theory. The CRPD played an integral role in guiding the research questions, objectives, methodology, and findings. The findings revealed that persons with disabilities in Zimbabwe had experienced multiple forms of exclusion, including insufficient access to humanitarian assistance and justice. At the same time, gender was identified as a critical determinant of the overall situation and response to violence. In addition, the study demonstrated that the so-called adaptive strategies often reflected persons’ attempts to survive in the absence of an adequate response. The conclusion highlights the need to shift the focus from individualised approaches to collective action in order to ensure that displaced persons with disabilities obtain better access to protection and assistance services.