Zeitschrift Behinderung und Dritte Welt

S CHWERPUNKTTHEMAting a report, the CRPD also allows for shadowreports which can be filed by civil society.The CRPD with careful implementation andadherence to its guiding principles has the potentialof furthering and/or making gains alongthe following lines critical in addressing theneeds and rights of women with disabilities.Specifically, it has the potential to promote:Increased Recognition and Voice of Womenwith Disabilities in the InternationalCommunity and in Decision-Making.The potential of women with disabilities asleaders is important in promoting change inviews of women with disabilities as active leadersand role models within their societies. Efforts,such as the 4 th International Women’s Instituteon Leadership and Disability, a threeweektraining held by Mobility InternationalUSA, are taking hold. There have been effortsin various settings to increase the visibility ofwomen with disabilities in the disability movementand to ensure that their voices are heard.In Sri Lanka, the Association of Women withDisabilities (AKASA), in Bangladesh, the SocialAssistance and Rehabilitation for the SociallyVulnerable (SARPV) and in India, the Associationof Women with Disabilities (AWWD) are allengaged in building the capacity and confidenceof women with disabilities to be leaderswith prominent voices in the movement for disabledpeople's rights. In time, it is hoped therewill be a movement of disabled women in everyregion where women with disabilities are takingleadership roles in their communities.A More Inclusive and ResponsiveDevelopment Agenda.The growing recognition in international aidagencies of the importance and relevance of inclusivedevelopment as a necessary step inachieving key strategic objectives, such the MillenniumDevelopment Goals (MDGs). Most ofthe major relief and development agencies aredeveloping and strengthening their understandingof how to ensure inclusive developmentand relief. By changing perceptions ofwomen with disabilities from passive recipientsof assistance – to active partners in programmedesign, planning and implementation will playa key role in ensuring that girls and womenwith disabilities are included, not an add on inassistance programming. By demonstrating internationaland national commitment to therights of people with disabilities, internationalorganizations have received a message thatpolicies and programmes must adapt. Further,it is widely acknowledged that women can askfor more and hold such agencies accountable –as they can more effectively “claim their right toaccess to projects if they are backed up by specialsupportive measures”.Increased Socio-Economic Empowermentand Agency of Women with Disabilities.By promoting the rights and needs of womenwith disabilities – and their potential as productivemembers in society given access to opportunities– such empowerment will reap gainsboth for women with disabilities and the largercommunity. Such programs might focus on entrepreneurialdevelopment assistance such asthe Tigray Disabled Veterans Association inEthiopia. Through this program, individuals areempowered to use their abilities to operatesmall businesses and generate income forthemselves and their families. Another example,specifically focusing on women, is theWomen with Disabilities Entrepreneurship Projectwhich was undertaken in Ethiopia. Economicempowerment will also reinforce theirvoice in community – and empower and emboldenthem to assert their rights in various importantareas – such as health. Often, as notedabove, women with disabilities have reducedaccess to health services yet they are also have“hesitation [in] to ask for services”. Further, theyare “afraid that the request [for specific healthservices and/or attention] will be rejected byprofessionals.” (Nakinishi, undated) This type ofengagement in the community where they areconsidered a productive and valued memberwill likely result in attention to various rightsand needs they may have.Reduced Stigmatization of women withdisabilities at local, national andinternational levels.The severe stigmatization is a major obstacle towomen with disabilities in participating in theircommunities – throughout the lifespan – interms of schooling, employment, and familylife. By addressing current perceptions ofwomen with disabilities as passive recipients –through some of the approaches describedabove – it is possible to break down these barriers.Further, the CRPD brings the rights ofpeople with disabilities into the fore – and emphasizesthe responsibility of countries to promote,protect and respect their rights. As theCRPD has been widely endorsed on an internationallevel – the issue of disability will likelybecome a key consideration in development assistance.Together, these efforts can reducestigma and promote action at all levels and inall settings.38 Zeitschrift Behinderung und Dritte Welt 3/2009