The 2010 Census of Population and Household reports that of the 92.1 million
population, 1.57 percent had disability (Philippine Statistics Authority) and that 50.9
percent of these are males and 49.1 percent are females. Males with disability
outnumbered females in all age groups except the range of 65 years old and older. The
PSA notes that this is because of the higher survival rate of women than men. Other
than this, there is no comprehensive source of data on conditions of women and girls
with disabilities in the Philippines known to date.
PAWID argues that invisibility of women with disabilities in government policy and
programs results in lack of disaggregated and comprehensive data and statistics on
women and girls with disabilities (2016 CEDAW Shadow Report). Further, data are not
disaggregated based on impairment, geographical area, and time period all of which
are important to address and prevent marginalization of women with disabilities.
The Philippine Statistics Authority itself notes the difficulty in gathering data particularly
in conflict-affected areas. Moreover, according to disability-organizations, the number
of deaths among women with disabilities in times of disaster are not captured in data
gathering and DRRM planning processes. Government offices do not have records on
how women with disabilities were affected by disasters.
Data on women with disabilities across development indicators are also non-existent
or inadequate. For example, there is no known monitoring of numbers of women with
disabilities occupying positions decision-making in government bodies. Government is
unable to monitor school drop-out rates which is reported by CSOs to be twice as
many among girls than boys with disabilities. Information on participation of women
and girls with disabilities on early childhood, tertiary, vocational education and other
forms of life-long learning. The 2013 National Demographic and Health Survey fails to
identify women with disabilities as respondents. Lack of data on women with
disabilities is also used as an excuse, preventing government offices from adequately
discussing implications to development policy, programs, and services.
4. Women with disabilities lack access to basic services
Lack of data and information on women disabilities leads to further marginalization as
government agencies fail to create programs and provide adequate services for them.
This is seen across programs and services for education, health and livelihood for
women with disabilities.
Women’s and disability organizations reported in the 2016 CEDAW Shadow Report
that twice as many girls compared to boys with disability do not have access to and
are unable to complete basic education.
Further, women and girls with disabilities encounter barriers in maintaining their sexual
and reproductive health primarily because of negative attitudes of sexual and
reproductive health providers, prejudices against pregnant women with disabilities,
and inadequacy of facilities and services to cater to health needs of women with
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