Pacific: Reaffirming the Rights of Women with Disability

Via Shifting the Power  Coalition 

There needs to be accountability in governance systems to ensure systematic a gender and disability mainstreaming in legislation, policy, programmes and national budgets say women leaders of the Pacific Disability Forum.

Ahead of the official start of the 7th Pacific Regional Conference on Disabilities, the Pacific Disability Forum's Women with Disabilities Network met in a parallel session to outline their priorities for the outcomes statement of the conference.

This followed a series of sub-regional consultations convened by women leaders from national DPOs who presented findings and recommendations to participants.

The Pacific Disability Forum co-chair, Villaney Remengesau presented the call to action which included a set of priorities for the regional conference in line with regional and national commitments to gender equality and disability rights:

• Strengthening the political participation of women with disabilities as voters and as candidates

• Sensitization trainings for service providers and investing in more accessible information particularly on sexual reproductive health and rights, access to water and sanitation, prevention of gender based violence and improved mental health services

• This requires dedicated and committed financial investment in the leadership and autonomy of women with disability to mobilize and drive accountability to the gender and disability agenda

In response to climate change and more intensifying disasters members reaffirmed the collective call for multi stakeholder partnerships to drive inclusive disaster management for inclusive preparedness, response and recovery.

On Monday,  women leaders from Fiji Disabled Peoples Federation convened their preparatory meeting ahead of the Gender Forum.

They discussed what disability inclusive disaster management and humanitarian action means as a first responder in rural communities and navigating through barriers of participation including discrimination because of your gender and ability.

A number of recommendations emerged including enhancing connections between and accountability to #CEDAW & #CRPD in all stages of disaster management plans.

Climate Risk & Early Warning Systems (CREWS) should be disability inclusive to respond to the needs across the disability community. This means resourcing more #accessible information and communication platforms.

The Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) of disaster management must ensure there is representation by women with disabilities in village and settlement committees to ensure all plans - including the design and management of evacuation centres cater for the specific needs of women with disabilities.

This is about safety and protection with dignity.

Propositioned supplies should include medication, water and WASH needs including diapers and sanitary pads as well as assistive devices.

Women-led disaster management must be supported by flexible funding models that ensure funds are available for focal points to organise and lead as well as have the supplies and equipment they need - from boots and torches to transport and communication resources.

***This collaboration has been made possible with support from The Asia Foundation & Pacific Women Lead ***

*** Since 2016 as a member of the Shifting the Power Coalition women leaders of Pacific Disability Forum Fiji Disabled Peoples Federation VDPA Vanuatu -Vanuatu Disability Promotion & Advocacy Association have supported

the establishment of a Gender and Disability experts network in collaboration. We acknowledge the support of Pacific Women Lead in our collaborative work***