NST Online » Local News

2008/05/04

Bane of disabled women

KUALA LUMPUR: Women with disabilities face overwhelming double discrimination: one which is gender-based and another for their disability.

Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen said compared to their male counterparts, disabled women suffered more as they struggled to overcome obstacles.

"These women have low self-esteem and confidence. "Remember, you're no lesser.

You're just different," said the minister at the closing ceremony of the Asian Women in Paralympic Sport Leadership Summit yesterday.The three-day summit, the first to be held in Asia, is a workshop to provide leadership training and increase women's participation at all levels of decision-making.

"A forum like this is important to ensure the involvement of disabled women and also to bring to attention the issues and difficulties that they're facing."

Dr Ng said her ministry was working hard to overcome all forms of discrimination faced by disabled women.