QUEZON CITY, April 1 — Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Undersecretary for Promotive Programs Malou Turalde-Jarabe encouraged women with disabilities to stand up for their rights and support programs and policies towards their advancement during the 13th Women with Disabilities Day celebration at the Philippine Arena, Ciudad de Victoria, Bocaue, Bulacan. Usec.Turalde-Jarabe also serves as the Alternate Chairperson of the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) Governing Board.
During her speech, Usec. Turalde-Jarabe expounded upon the challenges women and girls with disabilities face because of their gender and disability status.
“Women and girls with disabilities often face disproportionately high rates of gender-based violence, sexual abuse, neglect, maltreatment and exploitation,” she said.
“They face ‘double discrimination,’ an inequality exacerbated for women and girls with disabilities who are members of marginalized ethnic or racial groups or part of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex community,” she said.
She further said that the Duterte administration fully supports policies and programs for women and persons with disabilities (PWDs) which includes the Magna Carta of Women (MCW), a law that protects women against all forms of abuse and discrimination.
Usec Turalde-Jarabe re-echoed the directive of DSWD Secretary Judy Taguiwalo to integrate PWDs and support for them in all the Department’s programs and services.
“We also support the efforts of various LGUs and companies in the private sector that require the inclusion of persons with disabilities in their programs,” Usec Turalde-Jarabe said reiterating the earlier pronouncements of Sec. Taguiwalo.
For her parting words, Usec. Turalde-Jarabe explained the need for women and girls with disabilities to be empowered and provided with an enabling environment where their full participation and representation is recognized and acknowledged by the state.
“Let us prove to everyone that disabilities are not a burden, and that we are proud to be called women. We need to organize, strengthen our awareness, and collectively act for our empowerment. Mabuhay ang kababaihang PWD!,” the social welfare undersecretary ended. (DSWD)
