WOMEN, GIRLS AND CHILDREN
WITH DISABILITIES


Causes of disability in Somaliland:

causes of disability in Somaliland are chiefly malnutrition- occasioned by poverty, and war. Though there is little information about the prevalence and incidence of disabling diseases in 6 regions of Somaliland, it is clear that much of the disability stems from poor nutritional status.


Disability in Somaliland:

disability in Somaliland society is a stigma. When a person becomes disabled or a disabled child is born, the individual and family enter into a new world about which they know next to nothing and about which they have a lot of stereotyped notions.

The perception of disability is influenced by cultural attitude, which see disability as a curse or a manifestation of sin and disgrace in the family, and alms given to the disabled beggar are a means of obtaining spiritual grace and forgiveness for the non-disabled person.

The disability movement has now a Disabled women and girls wing that has for the past 2 years promoted the rights of disabled women, girls and disabled children in society. This has involved awareness raising, gender training and support for the formation of associations of parent and carers of disabled children. The Women’s wing of the DPOs has also be encouraged. In all cases, activities identified under the capacity building objective has lead to leadership potential and future women would be-Councillors who are very keen to access training, mentorship and advice on how they can speak for women, girls and children with disabilities.

Women with Disabilities and mothers of disabled children have been targeted in both their own individual capacity and the provision of support they need to educate their children and work has been in hand to give them the same equal access to basic services as do abled body children, i.e. attending school, access to health, and access to practical skills that them with lifeskills that will ensure employment opportunities when they enter into adult life.