Today, 03 December, the Commission on Human Rights commemorates International Day of Persons with Disabilities. This annual observance aims to promote the rights and well-being of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in all spheres of society and development, and to increase awareness of the situation of PWDs in every aspect of political, economic, social and cultural life.
PWDs remain a largely marginalised population in the Philippines. They continue to face physical barriers to equal access to infrastructures, and remain to be excluded in a variety of basic social services including education, health, employment, transportation, among others. We are still far from addressing this list of challenges that worsen disability-based discrimination.
Opportunities for employment are still limited for PWDs. In places of work, there have been complaints of victimisation and retrenchment of employees with disabilities. Students with disabilities also endure significant challenges to access mainstream schools due to architectural barriers that make class attendance difficult, lack of trained teachers on inclusive education and sign language, bullying, and the negative societal attitudes towards PWDs that impact their self esteem. Lack of employment and education increases the prevalence of PWDs living in poverty.
Beyond inclusivity concerns, they are also vulnerable to sexual abuse. Access to justice remains elusive for PWDs particularly those who may be deaf or have intellectual impairments as our court processes are not fully sensitive and responsive to their needs. These gaps in the justice system deny PWDs of their right to be heard.
This year’s commemoration theme is “Promoting the participation of persons with disabilities and their leadership: taking action on the 2030 Development Agenda”. The new Sustainable Development Goals provided significant opportunities for PWDs as there are at least five disability-inclusive goals—equitable and quality education (Goal 4); sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth (Goal 8); reduced inequality within and among countries (Goal 10); safe and sustainable cities and human settlements(Goal 11); and collection of data and monitoring of the SDGs (Goal 17).
As a National Human Rights Institution mandated to promote respect for and protection of human rights of everyone, the Commission urges the government to ensure that existing legislations such as the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons must be implemented with more teeth in order to put a stop to human rights violations against persons with disabilities in the Philippines. Furthermore, the Commission calls on both public and private sectors to adopt a strategy that increases employment and other opportunities for PWDs, and enforce measures that combat discrimination, violence and abuse against persons with disabilities, particularly women and children.
Certainly, to fully realise the promise of the 2030 Agenda and its commitment to leave no one behind, it is vital that all persons, particularly those facing exclusion and discrimination, have equal access, voice, and participation in every aspect of life.###