Navigating Access to Domestic Violence Services by Women with Disabilities in Zimbabwe: Experiences of Survivors in Masvingo Urban

Informed by intersectionality and critical feminist disability theory, this article examines the often-neglected intersection of disability, gender, violence, and oppression within Zimbabwe's Domestic Violence (DV) programming. The article qualitatively interrogates the extent to which the referral pathway to DV service provision, consisting of health, legal, protection and psychosocial support services, is disability friendly. The assumption that the physical existence of DV services translates to accessibility and usability by Women with Disabilities (WWDs) is often incorrect. Drawing on document analysis and in-depth interviews, the findings underscore the urgency for government, development partners and Disabled Persons Organisations (DPOs) to bolster the capacity of formal support systems to ensure ethical treatment of cases in the best interests of survivors with disability. Despite available opportunities, such as a supportive policy environment, the study recommends full implementation and adherence to disability mainstreaming policies. Proposed strategies include cross-training of disability and DV service providers, mobile provision of DV services, and budgetary support to enhance service accessibility by WWDs for inclusive and sustainable development in Zimbabwe.