Today, 30 March 2020, marks the 16th year celebration of Women with Disabilities Day in the Philippines. The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) recognises the exceptional achievements and significant contributions of women with disabilities in their communities and acknowledges the additional challenges that they have to overcome everyday—both under normal circumstances but most especially during health emergencies, such as the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Persons with Disabilities are among the world’s most vulnerable and marginalised during pandemics. They are not only in danger because of the infection but they face multiple burdens due to poverty, discrimination, lack of access to information, basic social services, and healthcare.

In the country, majority of Filipinos with disabilities belong to poor families with minimum wage earners under the ‘no work, no pay’ scheme. They do not have enough money to stock up on basic food items, medicines, and other essentials, such as hygiene kits for women. Equal access to additional financial aid and relief goods are crucial to reduce the risk of Persons with Disabilities and their families from falling into greater vulnerability and impoverishment.

During a health crisis, access to information is one of the critical issues faced by Persons with Disabilities as it is directly linked to individuals and families’ ability to adopt preventive measures, to get access to health and other support services, and to comply with quarantine guidelines being implemented. Lack of sign language interpreting for COVID-19-related public advice campaigns; lack of health information materials in accessible means, modes, and formats; and inadequate access to internet connection are some of the barriers that Persons with Disabilities struggle with.

With containment measures such as the enhanced community quarantine and physical distancing, it would be harder for those who rely on other’s support to survive. This particularly affects women with disabilities as they are mostly the caregivers in their households. This put them too at an increased risk of gender-based violence due to heightened anxieties and frustrations inside the household. Furthermore, people with psychosocial disabilities, such as anxiety or depression, may be in particular distress especially under self-isolation.

People with mobility impairment find it hard to get aid from their local barangay as they do not have access to transportation. This is especially challenging to pregnant and elderly women with disabilities who could not go to medical clinics and hospital for check-ups because care providers cannot accompany them due to physical distancing policies.

Under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which the Philippines ratified in 2008, Article 11 states that in situations of risk and humanitarian emergencies, State parties shall take all necessary measures to ensure the protection and safety of persons with disabilities.

The CHR has been conducting regular community dialogues around the country to surface the plight of Persons with Disabilities while forwarding policy recommendations to national and local governments on how to alleviate their condition.

We urge the government to ensure that all national and local emergency preparedness plans accommodate the special needs of Persons with Disabilities. They should be included in the distribution of relief goods regardless of their status, employment benefits, transportation plans, and access to other health services specifically on the prevention and mitigation of the disease. We also call on the government to widely implement the Filipino Sign Language law in communicating COVID-related information for the deaf and people who are hard of hearing.

In all stages of COVID-19 response, organisations of Persons with Disabilities should always be consulted by the government to avoid any form of discrimination against them, especially women, as we continue the fight against the deadly disease. ###