EU support to gender equality and inclusion in the Philippines: Promoting awareness on disabilities
The EU Delegation to the Philippines reiterated their commitment to gender equality and inclusion at all levels. It organized a forum with the PWD community, civil society organizations and EU member states on April 8 at the residence of the EU ambassador.
The forum was attended by speakers from the Commission on Human Rights, the National Council on Disability Affairs, and civil society organizations WowLEAP (Women With Disabilities Leap to Social and Economic Progress), Autism Society of the Philippines, Save the Children and Future Vision.
The speakers shared their experiences, stressing the connection of disability to existing gender imbalances, as the latter complicates and heightens the pre-existing discriminatory practices against the disability community. The speakers also underlined the need for adequate funding and implementing programs for PWDs and women, especially at the local level.
The EU ambassador, Massimo Santoro, recalling the EU commitment, welcomed the hard work of all stakeholders to making a better society for the women and PWDs. He announced the launch of two calls for proposals: the first on human rights, which was published on the EUDEL website on April 7, and the second on civil society support, which will be launched by the middle of this year. Both calls emphasize the mainstreaming of gender, environment and disability into project proposals.
