INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL FOR EDUCATION BLIND PEOPLE’S ASSOCIATION GENERAL CHALLENGES FOR WOMEN IN ACCESSING EDUCATION & EMPLOYMENT  BY   Nandini Rawal Treasurer INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL FOR EDUCATION OF PEOPLE WITH VISUAL IMPAIRMENT (ICEVI) & Executive Director BLIND PEOPLE’S ASSOCIATION AHMEDABAD-380 015 INDIA

CHALLENGES START FROM BIRTH STRUGGLE FOR SURVIVAL INDIAN PERSPECTIVE CHALLENGES START FROM BIRTH STRUGGLE FOR SURVIVAL

GIRL CHILD NOT WELCOMED MALE DOMINATED & PATRIARCHAL SOCIETY CULTURAL SUBORDINATION TO ALL MALES IN HER LIFE

LIMITED ACCESS TO MEDICAL SERVICES, CIVIL & POLITICAL RIGHTS LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN DECISION MAKING PREORDAINED ROLES MADE BY SOCIETY- NURTURER

WOMEN EDUCATION------DEAD INVESTMENT WOMEN DO NOT NEED TO BECOME BREAD WINNERS

EDUCATION FOR NON-DISABLED WOMEN A CHALLENGE LACK OF TOILETS IN SCHOOLS IN VILLAGES LACK OF HIGHER EDUCATION AT VILLAGE LEVEL HOSTELS INADEQUATE FOR WOMEN FAMILIES DO NOT SEE NEED FOR HIGHER EDUCATION

LACK OF ACCESS TO CHOICES LACK OF CONTROL ON HER OWN LIFE & BODY QUALITY OF LIFE DEPENDENT ON MALE

WOMEN WITH VISUAL IMPAIRMENT TRIPLE DISADVANTAGE FEMALE, POOR, WITH DISABILITY MOST MARGINALIZED MOST VULNERABLE

CHALLENGES FOR WOMEN WITH VISUAL IMPAIRMENT STIGMA OF DISABILITY LACK OF SOCIAL ACCEPTANCE EMPHASIS ON PHYSICAL PERFECTION SAFETY & SECURITY DOES NOT HAVE SEXUAL CHOICES

IN MY STATE, AS AGAINST 400 REHAB AGENCIES FOR MEN WITH DISABILITY, THERE ARE AROUND 15 AGENCIES ONLY FOR WOMEN WITH DISABILITY

GENDER IMBALANCE IN REHABILITATION PROCESS LESSER WOMEN ACCESSING EDUCATION LACK OF LEGAL AWARENESS LACK OF PROPER CAREER COUNSELLING LACK OF INCLUSION WITH MAINSTREAM ORGANIZATIONS

LACK OF COLLECTIVE VOICES LACK OF WOMEN LEADERS IN DISABILITY NGOs

SETTING UP & STRENGTHENING SERVICES FOR WOMEN NEED FOR ATTITUDINAL CHANGE- INTERNAL, EXTERNAL NEED FOR CATCHING THEM YOUNG SETTING UP & STRENGTHENING SERVICES FOR WOMEN

INFLUENCING POLICY, INITIATING PROGRAMMES FOR WOMEN SPECIAL FOCUS AND FUNDS FOR WOMEN TAILOR MADE PROGRAMMES FOR WOMEN MAKE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES ACCESSIBLE AND SAFE

INCLUDING WOMEN WITH DISABILITY IN MAINSTREAM ORGANIZATIONS MAKE WOMEN MORE VISIBLE, MORE AUDIBLE AND MORE ORGANIZED DEVELOP & TRAIN WOMEN LEADERS

THE SILVER LINING MORE WOMEN ARE ACCESSING SERVICES OPPORTUNITIES HAVE INCREASED RISING NUMBER OF PROFESSIONALS VISIBILITY IS RISING

DISABILITY NGOs MORE OPEN AND SENSITIVE PARENTS ARE MORE PROACTIVE WOMEN MORE AWARE & VIGILANT ABOUT RIGHTS