The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and its attached agency, the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA), spearheaded a side event on Wednesday (June 11) to advance the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities.
Asst. Secretary Elaine Fallarcuna of the DSWD’s Legislative Affairs Group (LAG) and NCDA Executive Director Glenda Relova represented the Department in the 18th Session of the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (COSP18-CRPD) at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City.
“This side event serves as a reaffirmation of the Philippines’ commitment to building a more inclusive, just, and resilient society where no one — especially persons with disabilities — is left behind,” Asst. Secretary Fallarcuna said.
The side event titled, “Innovative Financing on Care Economy, Social Protection and Participation of Persons with Disabilities in the Formal Economy,” discussed the initiatives on the expansion of economic participation of persons with disabilities.
The objectives of the side event include the presentation of the Philippine government’s framework and programs for persons with disabilities; fostering of international partnerships to scale up inclusive development programs for persons with disabilities; and discussion on innovative solutions and social enterprises to economically empower persons with disabilities.
Joining Asst. Secretary Fallarcuna in the panel discussion were Director Relova, CBM Global Disability Inclusion UK Chief Executive Officer Kirsty Smith; Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) Multilateral Section Director Dirk Platzen and Engr. Darlito Palermo of the Davao Del Norte Person with Disability Association.
The COSP18-CPDR, which is from June 10 to 12, is organized by the UN Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially women and girls and the UN Special Rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities. (AKDL)