Redaccion
The President of the Canary Islands Parliament, Astrid Pérez, said on Wednesday that it is «worrisome» that women with disabilities who suffer from gender-based violence have «difficulties» accessing support services because they are not adapted to their needs.
«We must work together and tirelessly,» she commented at the inauguration of the ‘First Canarian Parliament of Women with Disabilities’ which brought together 70 women with disabilities at the regional Chamber, organized by Cermi Canarias. She invited them to reflect on this situation.
Pérez emphasized that «while it is tough for everyone» to combat gender-based violence and speak out, «it is even harder for women with disabilities,» as around 50% have experienced some form of violence in their lifetime.
In addition to architectural barriers, the President also highlighted the so-called «barriers of the soul,» which may be «the worst» because society can sometimes be «insensitive.»
She used the example of when she took office as President of the Parliament, her goal was to make the Chamber 100% accessible because there were obstacles preventing all Canarians from following parliamentary activities.
Along those lines, she mentioned that until March of last year, over 55,000 Canarians «faced challenges» in following parliamentary activities, prompting action to eliminate this discriminatory situation.
Pérez appreciated that now everything can be seen and heard «by everyone» regardless of a person’s disability, emphasizing that the Parliament is now «much more inclusive» and «much closer.»
She also called for speeches on disability to translate into «actions» and urged women to «take advantage» of this space «to share ideas, express them, and try to find solutions aimed at improving society’s quality of life.»
The President of CERMI Canarias, Carmen Laucirica, highlighted the challenges faced by women with disabilities who are also mothers, as they have many difficulties due to this «double or triple disability» when navigating «a much more difficult world.»
Therefore, she encouraged all women to advocate for their rights and offered to be the «messenger dove.»
The Director General of Disability of the Government of the Canary Islands, Dulce Gutiérrez, stated that this event is an «opportunity to give visibility» to women with disabilities and ensure that «the voice of all» is heard.
She highlighted the «historic fact» that the Canary Islands now have a General Directorate of Disability for the first time to work on the rights of people with disabilities and address all issues.
She expressed her belief that this will be an «open door to all Canarian citizens to understand the different situations experienced by women and men with disabilities.» «We are pioneers and leaders in these matters,» she added.
NO HAY INCLUSIÓN REAL SIN DERECHOS
The Director of the Canarian Institute of Equality, Ana Brito, stated that «a full democracy cannot exist without guaranteeing the fundamental rights of all women, especially those historically excluded and always from a gender perspective.»
In this regard, she emphasized that the real autonomy of women with disabilities and their participation in «power spaces» must be irrevocable, stating that «there is no freedom without the power of choice.»
She also mentioned the need to «ensure protection against violence» and «move towards a State that not only condemns forms of physical, symbolic, institutional, economic, or digital violence but actively prevents them.»
«There is no true inclusion if women with disabilities, older women, and all women living in vulnerable contexts continue to be marginalized from essential services such as education, health, or justice,» she pointed out.
