Philippine Alliance of Women With Disabilities Information on recent developments In the May 30 presentation of the Commission on Human Rights Philippines on its National Inquiry on Reproductive Health43, it reported on accessibility as the main barrier for deaf women in accessing health services in Mindanao. Nationwide, the absence of a sign language interpreting system in local as well as national health facilities presents a barrier to all deaf women and their families. These have been confirmed by difficult experiences of deaf women including during childbirth in both public and private hospitals44. In the same workshop, the national human rights institution also admitted its lack of information on women with disabilities of other impairment groups, citing the same dearth in public sources. For instance, national data-gathering instruments such as the National Demographic and Health Survey (2013)45 do not identify any women with disabilities as respondents. Recommendation for Health: Following General Recommendation No. 24, ensure that all existing and future legislated State datagathering instruments such as the National Demographic and Health Survey, and all budgeting and financing of health programs, services and facilities, are inclusive for all women, including women and girls with disabilities. On Economic and Social Benefits, Social protection Information on recent developments A 20% disability discount on selected good, services, and transportation for persons with disabilities, including women and girls with disabilities as part of a social protection mechanism are not coordinated between the Department of Health and National Council on Disabilities Affairs. Despite consultations for over two years by the Department of Health, Chronic Illness including reproductive tract cancers of women such as breast, uterine, cervical and ovarian cancers has been eliminated as a category in accessing this discount. In the May 26-27 Department of Health46 workshop to pilot test the proposed amended criteria, other problems in implementation such as lack of awareness, accessibility and other barriers continue to hinder effectiveness of this social protection mechanism. Other social protection activities targeting women and girls with disabilities have not even received adequate attention or been effectively implemented. Recommendation for Economic and Social Benefits: Implement fully and efficiently coordinated and gender-/disability-responsive programs, and continuing training of personnel on universal social protection, including universal health coverage, education access, income replacement, particularly for disadvantaged women such as women with disabilities. On Rural women There are over 325 million women and girls with disabilities in the world, most of whom live in rural areas of developing countries where women make up three quarters of the population of persons 43 National Inquiry on Reproductive Health: Presentation & Validation. Gender Ombud / Gender, Equality and Women’s Human Rights Center. Commission on Human Rights Philippines. 30 May 2016, Quezon City. 44 Personal communication. PDRC / Deaf Resources Philippines. February 2016. 45 http://dhsprogram.com/pubs/pdf/PR47/PR47.pdf 46 Department of Health. Workshop on Determining Eligibility for the Issuance of PWD Identification Card. May 2627. San Mateo, Rizal. 10