General News

Disabled women and girls still not recognised

While the rest of the world is celebrating the International Day of Persons with Disabilities today, disabled women and girls in Fiji are still lagging behind in the recognition of their human rights.

Fiji National Council for Disabled Persons officer Sanimili Tawake says women and girls with disabilities are not always highlighted or captured in the Millennium Development Goals discussions.

โDespite three of the eight MDGs being specifically to address women issues, women and girls with disabilities are not always highlighted or captured during the MDG discussion processes...โ

Tawake says women with disabilities always face violence and other negative issues which affect them but this has been under-reported.

โAnother problem weโre facing is the lack of data that shows that women and girls with disabilities usually face violence from people in power and this is due to a lot of things but one thing is that since they are vulnerable, they are usually taken advantage of...โ

In a report being compiled by the Council, it shows that disabled women and girls are usually emotionally and physically abused.

Fiji Broadcasting Corporation

Additional Information

Country: Fiji
Website: http://www.radiofiji.com.fj/fullstory.php?id=24243
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Source: Email from: D_and_d_sub@mail.jetro.go.jp
When: 08/12/2009