Women with disabilities discuss daily challenges

A THREE-day workshop for women living with disabilities was conducted to find ways of addressing issues they face each day.
Most times women with disability seem to take the backseat when it comes to development programmes and service deliveries, according to Ipul Powaseu, the co-chair of PNG Assembly of Disabled Persons.
“This workshop is to hear the voices of the women living with disability in PNG,” Powaseu said.
“To consult with them how to address and map out the way forward with disability issues in the country.”
Community Development Secretary Anna Solomon highlighted the government’s priority areas with the main focus on growing the economy of the country and how women with disability can contribute to it. “Don’t think that you’re a woman with disability and you cannot be part of growing the economy,” Solomon said.
“We’re talking about women with disability in agriculture, forestry, fisheries, extractive industries and technology.
“These are all the different pathways that women with disability must properly look at and tap into.”
Meanwhile, Lynda Babao-O’Neill, the patron of PNG Assembly of Disabled Persons, spoke about how changes and improvements in government service delivery mechanisms could cater for persons with disability.
“I would like to see the committee make strong attempts to be part of the building board so that the barriers in infrastructure can be addressed,” Babao-O’Neill said.