South Africa: Justice denied for persons with disabilities

“Justice delayed is justice denied.”For persons with disabilities and gender-diverse individuals in South Africa, this reality is stark. Despite progressive policies, systemic barriers in accessing justice for gender-based violence (GBV) persist, often leaving survivors unseen, unheard, and unsupported.Barriers at the First StepFor many survivors with disabilities, exclusion begins at the police station or courthouse. Ramps, interpreters, and braille materials are often absent, while discriminatory attitudes further discourage reporting. Cases are frequently delayed or withdrawn due to the lack of disability-specific services such as counselling or accessible forensic processes.Gender-diverse persons face similar hurdles, with stigma and prejudice undermining their right to justice. Too often, their cases are dismissed or trivialised, reinforcing cycles of silence and marginalisation.Insights from the GroundAt the RWVL webinar held on 4 September 2025, survivors and experts brought these challenges to light.

• Survivor Nonhlanhla, a wheelchair user, spoke of women with disabilities being excluded from vital GBV support services.
• A participant with autism highlighted the compounded vulnerability of women facing both neglect and poverty.
• Judiciary officer Zandile Ndawonde outlined barriers in court processes, while legal practitioner Sasabona stressed the need for specialised tools to support visually impaired survivors.

Participants also raised the sensitive issue of perpetrators with disabilities sometimes being shielded by sympathy, complicating accountability while underscoring the need for balanced justice.The Way ForwardSpeakers agreed that meaningful change requires systemic reform:

• Accessibility in justice spaces through ramps, interpreters, and assistive technologies.
• Capacity-building for justice officials to address disability and gender diversity competently.
• Policy enforcement, ensuring that protections are not just written but practiced.
• Inclusive storytelling, shifting media narratives from portraying persons with disabilities as passive victims to highlighting resilience and agency.

A Call for Collective ActionThe plight of children with disabilities - facing violence, exclusion from education, and inadequate services - further shows the urgency of intersectional solutions. Gender, disability, and poverty cannot be addressed in isolation.The Renewed Women Voice and Leadership (RWVL) program continues to create spaces for dialogue and advocacy. But lasting change requires more than conversations: it demands collective action from government, civil society, and individuals committed to equality.Justice delayed for persons with disabilities and gender-diverse persons is not only their struggle - it is a failure of justice for all.For more information, contact WVL: grants2@genderlinks.org.za