An Analysis of the Accessibility of Sanitation and Hygiene Services to People with Disabilities since the Passing of the 2013 Constitution: The Case of the City of Mutare

Abstract

People with Disabilities (PwDs) in Africa face multiple challenges including restricted access to sanitation and hygiene services. This is the case regardless of concerted national and international efforts to enhance disability-inclusive development. The dearth of disabilityfriendly sanitation and hygiene services causes accidents, and injuries and compromises the dignity of PwDs. This study sought to assess the accessibility of sanitation and hygiene services, in particular public toilets, among PwD and explore the challenges the Mutare City Council (MCC) faces in its endeavour to provide inclusive services. The researchers adopted a human rights-based qualitative approach in which they conducted key informant interviews, in-depth interviews, observation and ocumentary review for the data collection. The findings of the study exemplify that, regardless of the constitutional provisions that every person has a right not to be treated in an unfairly discriminatory manner, the MCC, nearly a decade after the promulgation of the 2013 Constitution, is failing to provide sanitation and hygiene facilities and services that are accessible to PwDs. Most of the public toilets in the Central Business District (CBD) are inaccessible to PwDs, particularly wheelchair and crutch users. The MCC has four public toilets in the CBD and most of them are raised and have steps making it difficult for wheelchair users to access the facilities. Against this background, the study recommends the MCC prioritise PwDs in service delivery by involving them in planning processes.