Women’s Refugee Commission urges that displaced persons with disabilities be recognized for their capacities and determination to overcome the odds.

New York, NY, April 16, 2013 – The Women’s Refugee Commission is honoring refugees with disabilities from two of the world’s hotspots – Somalia and South Sudan – at its 2013 Voices of Coverage Awards Luncheon on May 2 in New York City. The Government of Australia will also be recognized for its leadership supporting initiatives that develop the capacity of persons with disabilities to lead full lives and make meaningful contributions to their communities.

At age 14, Dahabo Hassan Maow, lost her leg in rebel crossfire on the way home from the market. Escaping her war-torn country of Somalia, she was unable to get the assistance she needed at two refugee camps in Kenya – standing in line for food and walking long distances for water was virtually impossible with only one leg. But Ms. Maow was determined. She was finally referred to Heshima Kenya, an organization that protects unaccompanied refugee youth in Nairobi. There, she founded an entrepreneurship-training program to help vulnerable girls learn a trade – textile design and production – that they can use to make a living. Now resettled in Minnesota, Ms. Maow serves as an ambassador for Heshima Kenya.

“My advice to women and girls with disabilities is to learn a valuable skill so they can get the respect and credibility they deserve,” said Ms. Maow. “If women and girls can work, they will never be without a place to sleep, food to eat or water to drink.”

Atim Caroline Ogwang, from South Sudan, lost her hearing in a Ugandan refugee camp when she was five years old because she was hungry. As she was searching for food in the bush, ammunition left under a tree exploded, leaving her traumatized and deaf. At age 16, along with a group of deaf South Sudanese refugees, Ms. Ogwang founded the nongovernmental organization South Sudanese Deaf Development Concern. At her organization, she currently focuses on improving access to education and employment for women and girls who are deaf and hard of hearing. Ms. Ogwang’s goal is to qualify as a lawyer and become the first female Member of Parliament in Africa with a hearing impairment.

“We need to establish a foundation for the next generation of women and girls to be seen first as people and second as people with disabilities,” said Ms. Ogwang.

“I want to show the women and girls of Africa that having a disability does not end your life.”

AusAID, Australia’s overseas aid program, is a recognized leader in championing disability-inclusive development and humanitarian work. Enhancing the lives of people with disabilities is one of the priority objectives of Australia’s aid policy. In addition, AusAID’s humanitarian work is fundamental to supporting the broader purpose of the country’s aid program – to help people overcome poverty. AusAID believes that poverty reduction can only be achieved if it reaches and benefits many of the world’s most vulnerable – including people with disabilities.

“Displaced persons with disabilities remain invisible in so many ways,” said Sarah Costa, Executive Director for the Women’s Refugee Commission. “They are socially isolated and rarely consulted when humanitarian programs are designed and implemented. This is why we are proud to be recognizing these incredible women for their perseverance, and the Australian government for its inclusion of persons with disabilities in AusAID’s policies and programs at our Voices of Courage Luncheon on May 2.”

The Women’s Refugee Commission’s Disability Program seeks to advance the rights and dignity of refugees with disabilities. Our global research report was the first to address the critical needs of neglected population. We hold consultations with refugees with disabilities and include them in training and planning workshops for humanitarian agencies, NGO partners and disability organizations around the world. In fact, the Women’s Refugee Commission has just returned from Lebanon where we met with Syrian refugees with newly acquired physical injuries from the conflict as well as persons with developmental delays, hearing and vision impairments. While in the field, we met with humanitarian agencies and local organizations who work with these populations to ensure their inclusion in all aid programs and services.

According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 15 percent of any population is made up of persons with disabilities, with higher proportions in communities that have fled war or natural disasters. This means as many as 6.5 million of the world’s 43.5 million people displaced by conflict live with disabilities.

These individuals are among the most vulnerable and socially excluded groups inany refugee community. They are often invisible, confined to their shelters. Manyare excluded from or unable to access humanitarian aid programs because ofphysical and social barriers or because of negative attitudes and biases. Evenworse, women and girls with disabilities are four to 10 times more likely toexperience a form of sexual violence than their non-disabled peers.

Nancy Deyo
For more information contact
Nancy Deyo at (415) 505-2200 or
Email: NancyD@wrcommission.org

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The Women’s Refugee Commission works to improve the lives and protect the rights of women, children and youth displaced by war, persecution and natural disaster. It is affiliated with and is legally part of the International Rescue Committee (IRC), a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. For more information, visit
www.womensrefugeecommission.org