The Western Equatoria State Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare has confirmed it has received reports involving five women with disabilities who were allegedly impregnated and later abandoned by the men involved.
According to officials, one of the cases involves an underage girl, raising serious concerns over the protection of children and women with disabilities from sexual abuse, exploitation and gender-based violence.
John Zebruna Gasi, Director General in the State Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare, on Thursday told the media in Yambio that people living with disabilities continue to face discrimination, neglect and limited access to essential services, particularly in rural communities.
“Some of these women, when they become pregnant, face a lot of challenges,” he said. “They may not have access to medical services, and sometimes even their relatives do not bother to take them to health facilities.”
Zebruna said his ministry is working to establish the circumstances surrounding the reported cases and trace those responsible. He urged families, community leaders and government institutions to protect people with disabilities and ensure they receive equal treatment, healthcare, social support and access to justice.
Meanwhile, Lucy Luka Bunde, a person living with visual impairment in Western Equatoria State, appealed to the government to increase support to people with disabilities.
“People living with disabilities struggle to provide food, education and other basic needs for their families, she said. “Some families can go for two or three days without food because they lack reliable sources of income and support.”
Bunde called for people with disabilities to be included in government development and social protection programmes and urged authorities to provide meaningful assistance. She also raised concern over women with disabilities who become pregnant and are later left to raise their children without financial or social support.
For her part, Idako Ruth Paul, a single mother of two, urged men to look after their children and stop abandoning women after pregnancy.
“Women are often deceived by men who promise love, marriage and support before abandoning them after they get pregnant,” she stated, adding that some men flee to Juba to avoid their responsibilities.
Cecilia Anigunde, Western Equatoria State Minister for Gender, Child and Social Welfare, called for stronger protection and support for people living with disabilities, particularly women and girls, saying the latter face exploitation, abuse and gender-based violence.
She added that limited resources at her ministry have affected their ability to provide adequate support.
“This is a pressure for us because without resources, we are unable to support these people living with disabilities,” Anigunde said.
She urged community leaders and citizens to treat people with disabilities with dignity, love and respect and called for stronger support for associations representing people with disabilities.
Conversely, Western Equatoria State Governor Badagbu Daniel Rimbasa warned against gender-based violence, rape, and other forms of sexual abuse targeting women, girls and people with disabilities.
Speaking in Yambio on Thursday, Governor Rimbasa urged men, families and community leaders to respect the rights and dignity of women and girls.
“Women, if you encounter forced sex or any form of gender-based violence, report the man to me or the commissioner,” he said. “The perpetrator will be arrested, face the law, and be jailed.”
State authorities called for stronger cooperation among government institutions, families and communities to protect people with disabilities and ensure women and girls can access healthcare, education, protection and justice.
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