Women with Disabilities in MENA Region

Behind the Shadows of Neglect…

Ola Abu Alghaib/Palestine

10-12/3/2009

Understanding ...the overall Understanding ...the overall contextcontext

• Political/policies (will, capacity, institutions, system, security, inequalities).

• Economical situation and resource distribution• Role and influence of public service providers• Role and influence of users and civil society• Role and influence of Religion • Role and influence of international agencies (UN,

WB, bilateral cooperation) and other INGO in the social services sector.

Where are we today ?• Discriminated.• Isolated• Poor access to support services.• lack of adequate education.• low economic status .• Dependent. • Hardly visible in decision makings and presentation of

needs .• We remain largely unheard of, both in feminist

literature and in the disability rights movement.

Concepts and Approaches of our activities in the Region

• All our activities and objectives reflect core principles of the Right Based Approach referring constantly to (Human rights, Accountability ,Enhancing participation and providing opportunities for Empowerment.

• Stimulate a broad Social Movement through Providing Opportunities to the largest number possible of potential activists through an appropriate system.

• Raising awareness among Women with disabilities on the social approach to disability and the fact that they are the first and foremost the rights holders.

• Pay a strong attention to remote and deprived areas making sure that poor WWDs will have access to the micro-grants scheme, training opportunities and receive continuous and tailor-made consultancy support.

Concerns to Be Noted for Development Assistance Program

• Bridging the gab betweenRich Stars

Poor Grassroots

• The traditional model for the service delivery.

. VerticalExpensive Available in

urban areas.

• Welfare approach is still applied in our region for Women with Disabilities as it was aplied for women In in the 1950s and 1960s. Viewing then as purely passive beneficiaries in the development process .

• Level of intergation into all levels of development planning and implementation.

• Literacy training programs organized in parallel with other appropriate training programs based on women's personal and community needs.

Main areas to be addressed…

• Gate keeping procedures.

• Livelihood.

• Social inclusion mainly ( Support services )

• Independent living