EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Women with disabilities in South Asia face various levels of discrimination due to disability and gender, as well as their countries’ developing world status. In developing countries, including the South Asian region, women constitute up to three quarters of all persons with disabilities. Many governments in the region, however, have yet to incorporate the concerns of women with disabilities in legal frameworks, policies, and action plans for disability and gender in line with Article 6: Women with Disabilities of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).

In order to bring more awareness to barriers faced by women with disabilities in the region, 10 women leaders with disabilities from South Asia, including Bhutan, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, took part in the Regional Training on Empowerment of Women with Disabilities in South Asia at the APCD Training Building in Bangkok, Thailand, from 14-16 November 2014. The Training was organized by the South Asian Disability Forum (SADF), the Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD), the British Council (BC) Pakistan, and the Comprehensive Health and Education Forum (CHEF) International and Special Talent Exchange Program (STEP), as an activity of the South Asian Disability and Development Initiative (SADDI).

The Training was aimed at developing the leadership skills of women with disabilities in South Asia. It also increased their know-how in creating modules on gender, empowerment, and personal development. A training manual that addresses UNCRPD’s Article 6 and Goal 6 (Ensure Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment) of the Incheon Strategy to “Make the Right Real”, 2013-2022 was also set up during the three-day Training.

The Training served as preparation for the Mainstreaming Women with Disabilities Side Event at the Asian and Pacific Conference on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment: Beijing+20 Review, held at the United Nations Convention Center in Bangkok, Thailand, from 17-20 November 2014. The event also gave Training participants a venue to promote the advocacies of women with disabilities, including gender equality and inclusive society, as well as engage and build stronger ties with decision-makers and government delegates from their respective countries.

KEY OUTCOMES

1. Women leaders with disabilities were given an opportunity to share and apply their knowledge, experiences, and skills in creating a just and inclusive society where women with disabilities live with dignity, respect, and equality.

2. The “Bangkok Appeal on Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women with Disabilities in South Asia” was developed.

3. Women with disabilities from South Asia were given an opportunity to raise the voices of women with disabilities at the Beijing+20 Review.

4. Women with disabilities were able to develop their skills in engaging and collaborating with multi-stakeholders with regard to fundamental human rights and a just and inclusive society for all.

OUTLINE OF TRAINING

Background

The Asian and Pacific Conference on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment: Beijing+20 Review was held from 17 to 20 November 2014 at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok, Thailand. The participants included ministers and senior officials in Asia and the Pacific, including civil society representatives in observer capacity. In this connection, the Regional Training on Empowerment of Women with Disabilities was proposed ahead of the Conference.

OBJECTIVES

1. To organize a three-day Training focusing on the capacity building of women with disabilities in Pakistan and other South Asian countries;

2. To organize a four-day training focusing on the empowerment of women with disabilities in Bhutan, Pakistan, and other South Asian countries in conjunction with the Asian and Pacific Conference on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment: Beijing+20 Review;

3. To organize a side event on women with disabilities at the Beijing+20 Review by SADF, APCD, BC and CHEF in collaboration with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and the Asia Pacific Women with Disabilities United (APWWDU) as a member of the Asia-Pacific Beijing+20 Civil Society Steering Committee

EXPECTED OUTCOMES

1. Information and knowledge regarding women with disabilities in South Asia will be demonstrated and shared with ministries and/or senior officials of governments in Asia and the Pacific;

2. A side event is going to be conducted successfully by women with disabilities in South Asia in cooperation with regional partners;

3. The “Bangkok Appeal on Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women with Disabilities in South Asia” will be developed and shared with government partners.

PROGRAMME

Day 1 : Friday, 14 November 2014

09:00-09:30

Welcome

• Registration

09:30-10:00

Introduction of All Participants - Ms. Sadia Rahman

• Welcome note by Mr. Akiie Ninomiya, Executive Director APCD

• Housekeeping notes

10:00-10:30

Overview of the SADDI Project - Ms. Sadia Rahman

• Background

• Key objectives

• Overview of the workshop

10:30-11:15

Expectations Tree – Mr. Atif Sheikh

• Interactive exercise to support participants to share their expectations from the three-day workshop

11:15-11:30

Tea Break

11:30-12:15

SADDI – Theory of Change - Ms. Sadia Rahman

• Interactive exercise to discuss needs of women with disabilities

• Building link with the Theory of Change

12:15-13:00

Cover Story – Mr. Atif Sheikh

• Identifying aims and indicators of success for the SADDI project

13:00-14:00

Lunch

14:00-15:00

Disability and Gender - Ms. Abia Akram and Ms. Sadia Rahman

15:00-15:30

Overview of the Leadership Modules - Ms. Abia Akram and Ms. Sadia Rahman

• Personal development

• Leadership

• Gender and empowerment

• Disability

15:30-15:45

Tea Break

15:45-16:30

Working Groups to Review Learning Outcomes for Each Module - Ms. Abia Akram and Ms. Sadia Rahman

16:30-16:45

Plenary Session - Mr. Atik Sheikh

• Feedback on learning outcomes

• Group consensus

16:45-17:00

Closing – Mr. Shafiq Rehman

• Review

• Feedback

Day 2: Saturday, 15 November 2014

09:00-09:30

Reflections – Mr. Shafiq Rehman

09:30-10:15

Theory of Change – Ms. Sadia Rahman

• Review outcomes and outputs

• Discuss barriers

• Refer to cover story exercise

10:15-10:45

Identity and Culture – Ms. Asifa Ali

• Map out personal strengths and external challenges

10:45-11:15

Success Story 01 – Participants

• Focus on advocacy on rights on women with disability

11:15-11:30

Tea Break

11:30-12:15

Advocacy – What Does It Mean for Us? – Mr. Atif Sheikh

12:15-13:00

Planning Advocacy Activities - Ms. Sadia Rahman

• Ideas and tools

13:00:-14:00

Lunch

14:00-14:45

Leadership and Disability - Who is a Successful Leader for Us? – Ms. Abia Akram

14:45-15:15

Personal Development Plan – Ms. Abia Akram

15:15:15:30

Tea Break

15:30-16:30

Community Mapping - How Our Areas Look to Us – Ms. Asifa Ali and Mr. Shafiq Rehman

16:30-17:00

Action Planning – Instructions - Ms. Sadia Rahman

17:00-17:15

Closing/Review and Feedback - Mr. Atif Sheikh

Day 3: Sunday, 16 November 2014

09:00-09:30

Reflections – Ms. Sadia Rahman

09:30-10:15

Stakeholder Mapping – Ms. Asifa Ali

10:15-11:15

Action Planning – Ms. Sadia Rahman and Mr. Shafiq Rehman

• Continued in country/small groups

11:15-11:30

Tea Break

11:30-12:30

Action Planning – Ms. Sadia Rahman and Mr. Shafiq Rehman

• Presentations

• Group to give feedback and input

12:30-13:00

Skills Audit – Ms. Sadia Rahman

• Group to review skills needed for action planning/plenary session to discuss personal development plan

13:00-14:00

Lunch

14:00-14:30

Evaluations and Feedback – Ms. Asifa Ali

14:30-15:15

Certificate Ceremony

15:15-15:30

Closing Speeches

15:30-16:00

Tea Break

16:00-16:15

Closing

BANGKOK APPEAL ON GENDER EQUALITY AND EMPOWERMENT OF GIRLS AND WOMEN WITH DIVERSE DISABILITIES IN SOUTH ASIA

Recognizing the significance of the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and other international and regional instruments on disability and development, in particular, Article 6 on Women with Disabilities of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and Goal 6 on Ensure Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment of the Incheon Strategy to “Make the Right Real”, 2013-2022, by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP);

Noting the need to implement the South Asian Disability and Development Initiative (SADDI) by the South Asian Disability Forum (SADF), the Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD), the British Council, the Comprehensive Health and Education Forum (CHEF) International and the Special Talent Exchange Program (STEP), on a collaborative basis, which was intensively discussed by women with disabilities in South Asia through the SADF Strategic Planning Workshop on 18-19 November 2013 as well as the Regional Training on Empowerment of Women with Disabilities in South Asia on 14-16 November 2014;

We hereby unanimously recommend the following to be included in the outcome documents of Beijing +20 regional review in 2014 as well as global review in 2015, in reference to Article 6 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and Goal 6 of the Incheon Strategy:

1. Regardless of their social, economic, religious and cultural backgrounds, the rights of girls and women with diverse disabilities should be recognized and acknowledged at all levels to achieve gender equality and human rights.

2. Existing laws and policies should be reviewed and upgraded in the context of diverse needs of girls and women with diverse disabilities, ensuring their equal access to health, education, livelihood, social protection and other services.

3. Leadership of girls and women with diverse disabilities should be included in the decision-making process at all levels.

Presented at the Luncheon Side Event on Mainstreaming

Women with Disabilities in the Beijing+20 Review

at the United Nations Convention Centre, Bangkok, Thailand

17 November 2014

LIST OF PARTICIPANTS

Participants

Bhutan

Ms. Sonam Deki

Disabled Persons’ Association of Bhutan, Administrative Staff

Ms. Khencho Lazhom

National Institute of Traditional Medicine Hospital, Senior Telephone Operator

Ms. Sonam Wangmo

Disabled Persons’ Association of Bhutan, Executive Director

Nepal

Ms. Rama Dhakal

Nepal Disabled Women Association, Chairperson

Pakistan

Ms. Afshan Afridi

National Forum of Women with Disabilities, Coordinator (KPK)

Ms. Saima Aslam

National Forum of Women with Disabilities, National Coordinator

Ms. Sumaira Gul

Comprehensive Health and Education Forum (CHEF) International , Officer

Mr. Aman Khan

Comprehensive Health and Education Forum (CHEF) International, Project Manager

Ms. Tanzila Khan

Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability, Coordinator (Punjab)

Ms. Maria Qureshi

National Forum of Women with Disabilities , Coordinator (Punjab)

Ms. Zahida Qureshi

National Forum of Women with Disabilities , Executive Director

Mr. Shafiq Rehman

Milestone, President

Mr. Ali Shabbar

Special Talent Exchange Program, Project Manager

Mr. Atif Sheikh

Special Talent Exchange Program, President

Ms. Maria Zia

Sightsavers, Assistant Manager

Sri Lanka

Ms. Manique Gunaratne

The EFC Network on Disability, Executive Trainer

Observers

Pakistan

Mr. Muhammad Bilal

Sightsavers, Manager (Projects)

Ms. Munazza Gilani

Sightsavers, Country Head

Personal Assistants

Pakistan

Mr. Muneeb Ahmad

Special Talent Exchange Program

Ms. Asifa Ali

Special Talent Exchange Program

Ms. Sofia Bano

Comprehensive Health and Education Forum (CHEF) International

Ms. Ferhat Raza

National Forum of Women with Disabilities

Ms. Nagina Tahir

Special Talent Exchange Program

Japan

Ms. Saika Moriya

Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability

Resource Persons/Co-Organizers

Pakistan

Ms. Abia Akram

Special Talent Exchange Program, Project Manager

Ms. Sadia Rehman

British Council, Head of Programs

Thailand

Mr. Akiie Ninomiya

Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability, Executive Director

Mr. Ryuhei Sano

Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability, General Manager

Ms. Nongluck Kisorawong

Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability, Administrative Manager

Ms. Duangnarumol Dokruk

Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability, IKM Manager

Ms. Sachiko Flores

Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability, Networking Officer

Ms. Nongnuch Maytarjittipun

Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability, Executive Secretary to the Executive Director

ANNEX: BEIJING+20 REVIEW SIDE EVENT: MAINSTREAMING WOMEN WITH DISABILITIES

<Cover>

Summary Report on Mainstreaming Women with Disabilities in the Beijing+20 Review Side Event.

17 November 2014, United Nations Conference Centre, Bangkok, Thailand.

Logos:

United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP).

South Asian Disability Forum (SADF).

Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD).

British Council.

Comprehensive Health and Education Forum (CHEF) International.

Korea Disabled People’s Development Institute (KODDI).

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The South Asian Disability Forum (SADF), in cooperation with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), the Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD), the British Council (BC), the Comprehensive Health and Education Forum (CHEF) International, the Asia Pacific Women with Disabilities United (APWWDU), and the Korea Disabled People’s Development Institute (KODDI) held the Mainstreaming Women with Disabilities in the Beijing+20 Review Side Event at the United Nations Conference Centre (UNCC) in Bangkok, Thailand, on 17 November 2014.

Aimed at highlighting a regional focus on the inclusion of women with disabilities, the Side Event gave women with disabilities in South Asia an opportunity to take part in the discussion process of the Beijing+20 Review, to develop their capacity in engaging and collaborating with other stakeholders, and to encourage dialogues among various groups towards the promotion of human rights and justice for women with disabilities.

Held alongside the Asian and Pacific Conference on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment: Beijing+20 Review from 17-20 November 2014, the Side Event gave participants of the Regional Training on Empowerment of Women with Disabilities in South Asia a chance to share their experiences and insights about important issues faced by women with disabilities.

Photos:

Group photo with the “Regional Training on Empowerment of Women with Disabilities in South Asia” participants.

Sharing experiences at the Beijing+20 Review Side Event.

Panel discussion on the importance of mainstreaming women with disabilities.

Participants sharing their views on women with disabilities.

<Back Cover>

Accessible for Persons with disAbilities.

South Asian Disability Forum.

724-G Street 178, G-11/1, Islamabad, Pakistan.

Tel: +92-(0)51-2220110; Fax: +92-(0)-2220176.

Email: saddi.sadf@gmail.com.

Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability.

255 Rajavithi Road, Rajthevi, Bangkok, 10400 Thailand.

Tel: +66-(0)2-3547505; Fax: +66-(0)2-3547507.

Email: info@apcdfoundation.org.

Website: www.apcdfoundation.org.