South Africa:Building Inclusive Justice for Women with Disabilities

“I am because you are.” This African philosophy of Ubuntu lies at the heart of Louann Shuttleworth’s . For Louann, justice is not just about legal processes — it is about compassion, inclusion, and empowering every individual, regardless of ability, to have their voice heard.

Breaking Barriers in Access to Justice

Louann recalls a story shared by Scado, a peer educator from the National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD). Scado spoke of her struggle to report abuse cases involving women with intellectual disabilities, being sent “from pillar to post” without assistance. These barriers, Louann believes, contribute to the underreporting of gender-based violence (GBV) among women with disabilities.

Determined to change this, Louann embraced Disability Equality Training (DET) offered through the Enabled Women Arise (EWA) project. The training, delivered to over 500 officials across the Criminal Justice System (CJS), aimed to sensitise service providers and ensure seamless support for disabled women navigating the justice system.

Mobilising for Change

Court Preparation Officers (CPOs) play a critical role in supporting victims and witnesses through the trial process. While employed by the NPA, they are not traditional social workers — their focus is on preparing victims to testify confidently. Louann saw the urgent need for these officers to understand disability inclusion.

She mobilised her team to attend DET sessions and went further, encouraging other deputy directors within the NPA to do the same. Her advocacy extended to the Sexual Offences and Community Affairs Unit (SOCA), ensuring that Victim Assistance Officers (VAOs) at Thutuzela Care Centres (TCCs) also received training. These centres, based in government hospitals, are often the first point of contact for survivors of sexual violence.

“Showing compassion and being open to someone’s vulnerability is giving the service of time and a listening ear in a frightening environment,” Louann explains. “We are all bound to each other with invisible string because of Ubuntu.”

A Shift in Perspective

For Louann, DET was more than a training — it was a turning point. It sparked introspection and a renewed commitment to disability inclusion within the justice system. When she learned of Ms Mkhondo’s case, she immediately contacted colleagues in the South African Police Service to ensure swift assistance.

Her actions demonstrate how attitudes can shift when frontline workers are equipped with knowledge and empathy. “This experience created a lot of self-reflection, thinking, and planning for myself and my team’s way forward,” Louann says.

Towards an Inclusive Future

Louann believes disability sensitisation should be a cornerstone for every frontline worker in the criminal justice system. She continues to champion inclusion within her capacity at the NPA, ensuring that women with disabilities are not left behind in the fight against GBV.

Her story is a powerful reminder that justice is not only about laws — it is about humanity. By embracing Ubuntu and driving systemic change, Louann and her team are proving that inclusive justice is possible.

Closing Reflection

“I am because you are.” These words echo through Louann’s work and the Enabled Women Arise project, reminding us that true justice is built on empathy, equality, and collective responsibility.

By: Louann Shuttleworth.