approach to address the problem of hunger and eliminate it in 10 years. The laws are also gender blind and fail to consider the gender factors and issues affecting food production, purchase, preparation, consumption and distribution within the household. Lack of access to clean water Access to clean water is a continuous challenge in the Philippines. As revealed in the FGDs, lack of access to official water lines and providers such as NAWASA is a common problem in the households of women with disabilities. Women with disabilities are burden from high water cost as they are forced to buy bottled water to be able to provide clean water for her family. The government strategy of providing deep wells with manual pumps presents accessibility barriers to women with disabilities who then have to shoulder additional costs to be able to avail of clean water. Moving Forward: Recommendations 1. Prioritize sustainable employment and social protection program for women with disabilities Poverty is the biggest barrier face by women with disabilities. Improving the living standard of women with disabilities should be systematically taken into account in all national level development and poverty reduction efforts. There is a need for targeted action in order to enable women with disabilities to access decent work and emerge from poverty including: • • • • Access to education and skills development Development of viable self-employment, social enterprises, cooperatives, along with related support services and access to credit Engaging both the public and private sector to promote women’s with disability access to employment Improving social protection systems that is tailored to women’s with disability specific needs such as universal health coverage and insurance, cash transfer, housing programs, food subsidies, disability pensions etc. 2. Raise awareness to change public attitudes towards persons with disabilities There is a need to spearhead initiatives that aim to correct misconceptions and remove the stigma attached to disability. Raising awareness must include the home, in communities and in schools. Awareness of persons with disabilities of their economic, social and cultural rights remains low particularly in rural and remote areas, resulting to their inability to participate or avail various programs intended to improve their living conditions. The local government units, who have direct and daily reach to persons with disabilities, 25