Signs of Hope Trust, Zimbabwe

07/10/2025

We attended the National Budget Consultations at the Epworth Local Board and presented our submissions regarding our expectations for a disability responsive budget in 2026.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CxUdCk8B8/

03/10/2025

Remembering Godfrey Dzveta!
We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Godfrey Dzveta - Director of Tariro Foundation. He will be missed.

30/09/2025

🌍
Did you know that September marks 12 years since Zimbabwe ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD)?

In our latest article (4/2025), we reflect on why it is urgent to channel resources toward disability programs — and why these resources must be managed in line with the to ensure rights are realized in practice.
https://www.canva.com/design/DAGbNEnLVtg/h44hsz30OCGBQUKqYIxxkg/view?utm_content=DAGbNEnLVtg&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=h40af034957

29/09/2025

Signs of Hope Statement:

*International day of universal Access to Information - 28 September 2025*

Signs of Hope Trust joins the world in commemorating the International Day of Universal Access to Information. This year's theme "Ensuring Access to Environmental Information in the Digital Age" focuses on the importance of timely, comprehensive, and cross-border access to environmental information in an increasingly digital world.

For many persons with disabilities in Zimbabwe, access to information remains more of an aspiration than a reality. A significant number have never been to school due to systemic barriers, resulting in literacy challenges. Furthermore, there is a lack of information in accessible formats such as Sign Language, Braille, Easy-to-Read, and audio. Where information exists online, high data costs, unaffordable devices, and inaccessible websites continue to exclude people from essential knowledge about climate change, disaster preparedness, and environmental risks.

As we reflect on this year’s theme, it is important to stress that accessible information is not a privilege but a human right, enshrined in Sections 61 and 62 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe. Article 21 of the UNCRPD (ratified by Zimbabwe in 2013) further obliges States to ensure that persons with disabilities can access information on an equal basis with others.

We commend the Government of Zimbabwe for putting in place the Freedom of Information Act, which provides a framework for ensuring that citizens can access public information. As an organization, we have successfully used this piece of legislation to, among other things, produce the Database of Community Information Centers in Zimbabwe.

To make universal access to information a lived reality, especially in the context of environmental risks, we call on the Government of Zimbabwe and relevant stakeholders to:

1. Provide accessible formats in all environmental communication.

2. Ensure the Universal Service Fund (USAF) prioritizes lowering data costs and improving ICT access for persons with disabilities.

3. Develop accessible websites and digital platforms in line with global accessibility standards.

4. Strengthen cross-border collaboration to share environmental information in ways that leave no one behind.

Access to information is a vehicle for empowerment, vital for survival and dignity. Persons with disabilities must enjoy it on an equal basis with others.

28/09/2025

Week well spent at the Capacity Building Workshop for Key Duty Bearers on CRPD Compliant Budgeting and Financial Management in Kadoma, Zimbabwe.

We were grateful for the opportunity to share our work in inclusive Public Finance Management and contributed to the technical validation of the National CRPD Compliant Budgeting Guidelines to be rolled out soon.

The workshop was attended by representatives from the Ministry of Public Service Labour and Social Welfare, Ministry of Finance Economic Development and Investment Promotion, Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe Statistics Agency, Organizations for Persons with Disabilities and the Umbrella Bodies of people with disabilities.

10/09/2025

For persons with Albinism, Sunscreen is not a luxury, it's a human right. Earlier this month, the World Health Organization approved its inclusion in the 24th Edition of the Model List of Essential Medicines List (EML) and 10th Model List of Essential Medicines for Children (EMLc). In our article 3/2025, we reflect on what this landmark decision means for persons with Albinism and why it is timely.



https://www.linkedin.com/posts/signsofhopezim_sunscreen-approved-for-essential-medicine-activity-7371585508218408960-72he?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_android&rcm=ACoAABLRmd8BGyekRzYFwUddF9L46EbtuUgZuEY

08/09/2025

🌍📖 Happy International Literacy Day 2025
Signs of Hope Trust joins the world in commemorating the International Literacy Day under the theme "Promoting Literacy in the Digital Era" Literacy is a human right—and in the digital era, it must be accessible to all. When literacy is inclusive, society is stronger.

06/09/2025

Breaking News: The World Health Organization has approved the inclusion of broad-spectrum sunscreen in the 24th Edition of the Model List of Essential Medicines (EML) and the 10th Edition of the Model List of Essential Medicines for Children (EMLc) updated this month. Congratulations to all those who were at the forefront of this important advocacy, the Albinism Community globally and all human rights advocates. 👏👏👏👏👏
📸:

14/07/2025

Opportunity Alert

Applications are now open for the 12th edition of the Disability, Sexuality, and Rights Online Institute (DSROI)!

They are inviting applications from a diverse range of professionals, including human rights defenders, disability rights activists, journalists, donors, legal experts, practitioners, and community organizers. We also welcome individuals from social movements and community organizations to apply.

Click here to know more: https://dsroi.creaworld.org/apply/

If you need any accessibility accommodations to complete your application, please reach out to us at dsroi@creaworld.org. Applications sent via video or through Zoom in Sign Language are also accepted.

CREA’s 12th Disability, Sexuality, and Rights Online Institute19 September – 6 November, 2025 (Completely online, 7 weeks, 8-12 hours per week)Applications due by 31 July, 2025.CREA’s Disability, Sexuality, and Rights Online Institute (DSROI) is a seven weeks long online course that provides a...

26/06/2025

We are among the over 300 exhibitors who are participating in this year's edition of the National Disability Expo at the Victoria Falls - Matebeleland North Province. The Expo runs under the theme: Accelerating Disability inclusion now, A collective responsibility.

We are excited to meet persons with disabilities from across Zimbabwe and share information about their rights.

A huge thank you to MISA Zimbabwe for the continued support in disseminating information about the Freedom of Information Act and making our participation possible.

18/06/2025

PRESS STATEMENT
International Day for Countering Hate Speech
18 June 2025

On this International Day for Countering Hate Speech, Signs of Hope Trust joins the global community in condemning all forms of hate speech and calls for urgent action to address the increasing digital and offline hate targeted at persons with disabilities.

According to the UN Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech, hate speech is defined as “any kind of communication in speech, writing or behaviour that attacks or uses pejorative or discriminatory language with reference to a person or a group on the basis of their identity” — including religion, ethnicity, gender, or other identity markers. While a universal legal definition remains under discussion, the threat posed by online hate speech is clear and growing.

As we continue to advocate for access to information and digital inclusion, we note with concern a disturbing rise in ableist hate speech on social media platforms and other online spaces. Persons with disabilities — particularly women and girls — are increasingly subjected to cyberbullying, derogatory language, exclusionary content, and misinformation, which fuels stigma, isolation, and exclusion.

Such hate speech not only violates the dignity of individuals but also impedes civic participation, mental health, and the full realization of freedom of expression.

In Zimbabwe, we acknowledge the Cyber and Data Protection Act, which criminalizes cyberbullying and online harassment. While this is a positive step, there is an urgent need for consistent enforcement, awareness, and accessible redress mechanisms for victims.

At the regional level, we commend the African Union for adopting the Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (February 2025). This landmark instrument recognizes Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV) as a serious and urgent human rights issue, reaffirming that digital violence is no less harmful than violence offline.

As Signs of Hope Trust, we call for:
1. Stronger enforcement of cyber laws that protect persons with disabilities from online hate and abuse.

2. Social media platforms to improve content moderation, reporting tools, and accountability mechanisms to tackle ableist and gender-based hate speech.

3. Civic education and awareness on the rights of persons with disabilities and how to report hate speech.

Hate speech is not just offensive — it is dangerous. It erodes human rights, deepens inequality, and threatens the safety and dignity of marginalized communities.

On this day, we recommit to building a Zimbabwe — and an Africa — where the digital space is safe, inclusive, and empowering for all.

Issued by:
Signs of Hope Trust
Harare, Zimbabwe
📩 info@signsofhope.org.zw | 📞 +263 789 580 580
🔗 www.signsofhope.org.zw

09/06/2025

to one of our Board Members, Adv. Standa Sani, on his graduation! You made us proud 🌟💡