South Africa:We Want Inclusion, Not Special Treatment

“Finally being linked to a Child Protection Unit because one thing for sure—even after the programme, I am still going to be advocating for women with disabilities. Except now, I will be doing it with a reliable team, unlike before where I would go to the police station and no one would take me seriously.”

These words from Scado Mkhondo, a Disability GBV Peer Educator, capture the essence of her journey from isolation to empowerment. Her story is one of resilience, advocacy, and the fight for inclusion—not special treatment.

Breaking Barriers in Etwatwa

Scado lives in Emaphupheni, Etwatwa, Gauteng. As a young woman with a learning disability, she knows first-hand the challenges faced by persons with disabilities. Before joining the Enabled Women Arise (EWA) project, Scado was already passionate about advocacy. She educated children in her community about disability rights and fought negative attitudes at her local arts centre, where she is also pursuing a career in acting and modelling.

But her efforts often met resistance. “Some of my friends still don’t get it,” she says. “They don’t understand why I fight so hard.” Her advocacy was dismissed, and attempts to engage authorities were ignored.

Empowered Through Training

The EWA project changed everything. Through Disability-Gender Based Violence training, Scado learned to approach advocacy with a deeper understanding. The programme uses a pay-it-forward model, expecting trained women to form peer groups and share knowledge on GBV from a disability perspective.

Schools in Etwatwa were not as welcoming as Scado hoped, so she shifted her sessions to San Michele Home for persons with intellectual disabilities. “I brought hope to the hopeless,” she says. “They wanted a friendly conversation instead of a counselling session.” Her workshops opened doors for women who had normalized abuse, helping them recognize their rights and speak out.

From Isolation to Influence

Before EWA, Scado struggled to get the attention of Benoni’s Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS). She would walk into police stations seeking justice for disabled women, only to be dismissed. Through NCPD’s disability sensitization efforts, Scado was finally linked to the FCS via a Court Preparation Officer trained under the programme. This partnership marked a turning point: “Now I have a reliable team,” she says proudly.

Her advocacy extends beyond workshops. Scado emphasizes building personal connections:
“Sometimes spend time with the person, get to know them, get to understand them. You cannot advocate for people you don’t understand. People might have the same disability, but they are not the same.”

Family Pride and Public Recognition

Scado’s parents have been part of her journey, sometimes accompanying her to San Michele. “My mum just clapped her hands and started singing because she was proud,” Scado recalls after her acceptance at Benoni FCS. Her appearances on TV shows like Talk Ability and as an extra on Generations have amplified her message: being different is okay.

Yet, challenges remain. “Attitude—you know attitude,” she says. “Some people still believe when you say inclusive, you want special treatment.” For Scado, inclusion means removing barriers, not creating privileges. Negative attitudes perpetuate discrimination and deny women with disabilities access to justice.

Why This Matters

Scado’s story is a powerful reminder that advocacy is not about charity—it’s about rights. Women and girls with disabilities face compounded vulnerabilities: gender-based violence, poverty, and systemic exclusion. Through the EWA project, Scado has transformed from a lone advocate into a leader with a network, knowledge, and influence. Her work underscores the urgent need for disability-sensitive justice systems and societal change.

By: Scado Mkhondo.