Women Parliamentarians Caucus focuses on challenges faced by differently abled community

• Women MPs aim to make society more inclusive for those with disabilities
• Measures to be taken to communicate COVID-19 related message in a more systematic manner
• Representatives of rights groups join discussion

The Women Parliamentarians Caucus chaired by State Minister Dr. Sudarshani Fernandopulle held a special policy dialogue this week on the challenges faced by the differently abled community and discussed what measures can be taken to strengthen their rights within the legal framework.

They also discussed the need for communicating information to differently abled people in a more systematic manner, including important decisions taken by the government in the prevailing COVID-19 situation.

Representatives of a number of organisations representing differently abled communities expressed their concerns and needs. The need to take urgent action to ensure the rights of differently abled persons in the society as well as to strengthen the relevant legal background was discussed at this meeting. The MPs of the caucus said they are committed to standing for the rights of persons with disabilities and that the Women Parliamentarians Caucus has a great responsibility in speaking up for groups that face various forms of discrimination in society.

State Minister Tharaka Balasuriya, MPs Harini Amarasuriya, Manjula Dissanayake, Diana Gamage, Eran Wickramaratne and Ranjith Bandara, Caucus Secretary and Parliament Deputy Secretary General Kushani Rohanadheera and representatives from several organisations including the DOJF, DIESL, Can MH Lanka, Deaf Women’s Association, Central Federation of the Deaf, Training and Disability Resource Centre of the Employers Federation of Ceylon, and We for Rights were present.