EDITORIAL – Empowering women with disabilities

The empowerment of women continues, with women excelling in many fields. Women head governments and corporations. New pieces of legislation continue to be crafted to further promote the welfare of women. The other day, the biggest batch of women graduated from the once all-male Philippine Military Academy.

Even among women, however, there are those whose rights continue to be overlooked. Around the world women with disabilities continue to suffer from discrimination, neglected by society and even by their families. They are denied access to education, livelihood opportunities and proper health care. Many become victims of sexual and other forms of abuse.

In the Philippines, Isabela Gov. Grace Padaca has become an example to the nation of what persons with disabilities can achieve and contribute to nation-building. Padaca, however, remains an exception. Filipino women with disabilities, especially in impoverished areas, continue to suffer from neglect and discrimination.

The world is belatedly focusing its attention on the welfare of women with disabilities. Four years ago the United Nations Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific extended by another 10 years, from 2003 to 2012, the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons. It also adopted a framework for the 21st century that aims to create "an inclusive, barrier-free and rights-based" environment for persons with disabilities in the region.

The Philippines must do its share in achieving that goal. As women’s welfare advocates point out, many women with disabilities are vulnerable to discrimination three times over: for their gender, for being poor, and for being handicapped. Today, as the nation marks Women with Disabilities Day, concerned government agencies must be prodded to implement programs that will improve the plight of this neglected sector. A presidential proclamation signed in December 2004 directs government agencies to ensure equal access of women with disabilities to health services, education training and employment as well as protection from abuse. This must be implemented. Persons with disabilities must be given the opportunity to become productive citizens.