IV. Women with Disability Concerns

In terms of civil, political, social and economic, laws and policies of general application already incorporate significant provisions enhancing the principles of CRPD, however, the University of the Philippines Institute of Human Rights National (UPIHR) Policy Review declares that no explicit provisions acknowledging the multiple discriminatory conditions of women yet exists in any policy documents examined. In the UP IHR Policy Review 2005²⁶, it stated that The need to provide for gender sensitivity not only in legislation and policy formulation but also in the level of implementation, training and orientation of human rights workers assigned to persons with disabilities is reflected in the statistics drawn by the CHR itself in a recent study. Complaints by persons with disabilities lodged were mostly of a sexual abuse nature with 36 out of 57 complaints.²⁷

Note #26

Hand out given by NAPC from their library documents

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Note #27

Excerpts from KAMPI Documentation on Presentation of CHR Chairman Leila de Lima on Symposium on the Implementation of UN CRPD, Traders Hotel, August 5-6, 2008

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Recently, the Magna Carta for Women²⁸ was ratified by Congress and by Senate recently last February 2, 2009 . The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) urged President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to sign the newly-ratified Magna Carta for Women. The CHR Chairman de Lima pointed out De Lima, said other issues threatening the rights of women in the Philippines included domestic violence, sexual assault, extrajudicial killings, unequal job opportunities, internal displacement due to conflicts, health care (including reproductive health) education and proper treatment in the criminal justice system²⁹

The Indigenous Peoples Rights Act 8371³⁰ or IPRA Law has provisions which mentions indigenous women with disabilities. The IPRA Law stated in Sec. 25. That,

The Indigenous People have the right to special measures for the immediate, effective and continuing improvement of their economic and social conditions, including in the areas of employment, vocational training and retraining, housing, sanitation, health and social security. Particular attention shall be paid to the rights and special needs of indigenous women, elderly, youth, children and differently-abled persons, and Section 26 which states that indigenous people women shall enjoy equal rights and opportunities with men, as regards the social, economic, political and cultural spheres of life. The participation of indigenous women in the decision-making process in all levels, as well as in the development of society, shall be given due respect and recognition.

Note #28

Magna Carta of Women

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Note #29

Inquirer.net

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Note #30

Republic Act No. 8371

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It is worth noting that in spite of the effort of the Sectoral Council of Persons with Disabilities of NAPC to persuade the Sectoral Council of Women to designate representation in their body, till this date no substantial positive actions are indicated. The same is true with National Commission on Women.

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