Women With Disabilities Leap to Social and Economic Progress
A Journey of Empowerment
Establishing Roots and Gaining Recognition
In 2000, a visionary group of women with disabilities in the Philippines founded an organization with a mission to empower and uplift their peers. This organization, known as Women With Disabilities Leap to Social and Economic Progress (WOWLEAP), garnered the support of esteemed entities such as the Global Fund for Women (GFW), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade – Australia (DFAT-Australia), Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund Germany (ASB Germany), and Christian Blind Mission Global Inc. (CBM Global Inc.).
Officially registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in 2001, WOWLEAP became a non-stock, non-profit organization dedicated to advocating for the rights and welfare of women with disabilities in the Philippines. The organization also proudly partnered with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to implement various livelihood programs, furthering its commitment to economic empowerment.
Building a Network of Leaders
One of WOWLEAP’s significant milestones occurred between 2002 and 2006 with the Regional Women with Disabilities Forum in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. These forums were supported by GFW and marked the beginning of WOWLEAP’s pioneering efforts to organize community-based groups of women with disabilities. Through regional leadership development workshops, cluster leaders were trained and empowered to organize within their communities, securing representation in municipal, city, and provincial federations.
This initiative led to the formation of ten regional federations, each helmed by pioneering leaders who tirelessly continued to organize women with disabilities from the barangay to the regional levels. These federations created a robust network of support and advocacy, amplifying the voices of women with disabilities nationwide.
National Advocacy and Recognition
A landmark event in WOWLEAP’s journey was the establishment of the Voices of Women: National Forum for Women with Disabilities in 2011. In partnership with NCDA, DOLE, DTI, and DSWD, this gathering brought together over a hundred women from 17 regions to discuss pressing issues such as gender-based violence and the multiple marginalizations faced by women with disabilities. This forum provided a national platform for dialogue and advocacy, highlighting the unique challenges and needs of women with disabilities.
Since 2008, various government agencies have recognized WOWLEAP as the nation’s leading voice for women with disabilities. This recognition stemmed from WOWLEAP’s vibrant and active advocacy, which consistently sought to address the issues faced by women with disabilities and promote their rights and welfare.
Continuing the Legacy of Advocacy
Significant achievements and milestones have marked WOWLEAP’s journey. The organization is now the Vice Chair of the National Working Committee that plans annual activities focusing on women with disabilities. This role underscores WOWLEAP’s continued commitment to advocacy and leadership in the disability sector.
Through its relentless efforts, WOWLEAP has made remarkable strides for 24 years. It started in Cainta, Rizal, and expanded to other regions in the Philippines. The organization has continuously been empowering women with disabilities and creating a legacy of social and economic progress that inspires and uplifts future generations.