The Dominica National Council of Women (DNCW), has called for the necessary support systems and appropriate infrastructure to be put in place help persons living with disabilities enjoy and participate fully in society.
DNCW President, Josephine Dublin made the call while welcoming the news of the Ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. In a DNCW press release, Prince commends the government for what she called a “a bold initiative”.
She says persons with disabilities
suffer from various discriminatory practices that can only be addressed by clear policy and legislative frameworks.
“Implementation is often the challenge and we also support the call by the President Mrs. Nathalie Murphy for effective implementation. The DNCW therefore urges persons involved to take advantage of the momentum created and to put in place the requisite support systems and the appropriate infrastructure so as to minimise the obstacles to persons with disability enjoying and participating fully in society.” states Prince.
Prince says the DNCW also recognizes that women in particular also suffer from discriminatory practices and calls on the authorities to “revisit the Convention for the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) which was ratified by Dominica in 1982 and to implement that Convention fully as well as the CEDAW Optional Protocol.”
She says the DNCW also recognizes that women in particular also suffer from discriminatory practices.
“By accepting the CEDAW , a state commits itself to do all in its power to eliminate all acts of discrimination against women, and among other things to incorporate the principle of equality between men and women at all levels including the legal systems, ensuring protection of women against discrimination and violence, and facilitating participation of women at political leadership levels.” she states in the release.
Prince also points out that State parties to CEDAW are also committed to submit reports to the Committee every four years and concludes “it is our hope that the reporting committment is complied with.”
She says the 16 Days of Activism planned from November 25 to December 10, presents another opportunity to “commit ourselves to fully implement CEDAW and to put in place mechanisms for women to enjoy fundamental rights without fear of violence.”
it’s a rocky road but keep the faith, this country is so far behind on this issue.
First step get new Judges! If women are the victems of violence then they must receive justis. “Strong love” is nothing more than controling power. If a judge can not face the facts, especially a female judge, then they must be removed from the bench.