Providing a Forum for Women with Disabilities in the Arab Region

One of the highlights of 2005 was the first ever Workshop for Women with Disabilities in the Arab region, which took place on November 10-11 in Manama, Bahrain, in conjunction with the RI Arab Regional Conference. This event – organized by RI in partnership with the UN Special Rapporteur for Disabilities Sheika Hessa Al-Thani and with support from the UN Department for Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) – provided a forum for nearly 50 women from all 14 RI member countries in the region to have frank discussions about the challenges they face in their societies. Participants identified two issues of particular importance: the lack of general awareness of women’s rights and leadership training for women; and the need to strengthen opportunities in education and employment for women with disabilities.
The Workshop not only brought together women from within the region, but  also provided all participants in the RI Arab Regional Conference, that was held immediately following the Workshop, with a glimpse into the challenges facing women with disabilities, particular the segregation and isolation of those living in traditional societies. For example, women with disabilities are not considered marriageable in some societies, and their non-disabled siblings are also overlooked in marriage by reasons of association. 

RI is exploring ways to follow up with the recommendations from the Workshop and expand on the dialogue to include women with disabilities from other regions. Visit the detailed report for more information.

The RI Africa and Arab Regions will be hosting a Regional Conference in Djerba, Tunisia in October 2007. More details.

To learn more about projects and initiatives in the Arab Region, contact:

Vice President                                                                      

Mr. Khaled El Mohtar

National Rehabilitation & Development Center

P.O. Box 11-7732

Beirut, Lebanon

Tel./Fax: +9615210338/ +961-5-210-339 

Mobile: +961-3-206633

E-mail: nrdc@destination.com.lb  /  Web: www.nrdc.homestead.com

 

Deputy Vice President

Mr.Mohamed Al Khadiriy

Amicale Marocaine des Handicapes

77 Boulevard 9 Avril Palmier

Casablanca Maroc B.P. 5369

20100Morocco

Tel.: +(212) 022 98 50 51/ 52/53   

Fax: +(212) 022 25 94 30             

E-mail: amh@connectcom.net.ma             Web: www.amh.org.ma