Children with autism in
Swaziland are often locked and hidden away at home because their parents think
they are a bad omen.
People with autism are
considered ‘mentally retarded,’ which means they do not get proper medical,
psychological and physiological help.
Autism Swaziland Director
Tryphinah Mvubu said this meant people with Autism were often excluded from
social services and kept away from the public by their parents in fear of
embarrassment.
The Swazi Observer newspaper (5 April 2017) reported her saying, ‘Some
parents refuse to accept children with this condition as this disorder is
considered to be a bad omen, hence they are locked in the house day in and day
out so they cannot be seen by members of the community. They are so stigmatised
to an extent that in some cases they are not even counted as members of the
family.’
In July 2016, it was
reported in local media that two disabled orphan children in Swaziland had been
hidden from the world after a government official told their family it would
harm the image of the kingdom if people knew of their condition.
It was
reported that the two children aged
16 and eight might be suffering from polio. It was said they had not walked
since they were born and had shrunk muscles and could only crawl. They both
cannot talk.
The abandonment of the
children is one of many examples of poor treatment of people with disabilities
in Swaziland.
A report published by SINTEF Technology and Society,
Global Health and Welfare in 2011
that studied living conditions among people with disabilities in Swaziland,
found, ‘There is a general belief that those who have a disability are
bewitched or inflicted by bad spirits.
‘Many believe that being
around people with disabilities can bring bad luck. As a result, many people with
disabilities are hidden in their homesteads and are not given an opportunity to
participate and contribute to society.’
It also found that people
with disabilities had been abandoned by the Swazi Government. The report
stated, ‘The absence of any comprehensive laws and policies to address people
with disabilities’ access to equal opportunities reflect a lack of political
will and a failure to recognize disability as a human right issue contributes
to the devaluing and dehumanising of people with disabilities.
‘People with disabilities
have the same rights as able-bodied people and they are entitled to enjoy all
citizenry rights.’
See also
DISABLED PEOPLE ‘TREATED LIKE ANIMALS’
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