This week, March 8, 2011 is International Women’s Day.

Disabled Peoples International – At this time, we can celebrate the fact that women with disabilities are growing in visibility and dignity.

The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is empowering each day more of us to demand realization of our rights. We must share our knowledge and our spirit and support our sisters with and without disabilities to achieve our human rights!

The Convention states in Article 6 that: “States Parties recognize that women and girls with disabilities are subject to multiple discrimination, and in this regard shall take measures to ensure the full and equal enjoyment by them of all human rights and fundamental freedoms.” Women are mainstreamed throughout the Convention. 

But in order to implement the Convention we have to lobby for it to change conditions. We have to demand the implementation of the Convention again and again on all levels of society. We have to raise awareness in our communities, in our societies. We have to fight for our rights, to look for allies to support us. We have to cooperate and to network for a better world to live in.

Remember that Human Rights are Women Rights!

Dinah Radtke
Member of the World Council DPI
Chair of the Women’s Committee of DPI