Disabled Women's Development Programme (DWDP)

The disabled People of South Africa (DPSA) Women's Development Programme (DWDP) was first initiated during 1993 when initial funding was obtained for the training and conscientisation of disabled women who are members of DPSA. A five year plan was developed with the aim of formulating the long term purpose of the DWDP and defining the broad areas within specific programmes would be developed to benefit disabled women in South Africa.

Major Reasons for the Initiation of the DWDP

It is generally acknowledge that disability is a major cause of poverty. With a population of disabled people estimated at 4.8 million, South Africa is often described as a country with two worlds in one - the well developed urban infrastructure is a sharp contrast to the poor and marginalised rural areas and urban townships where the majority of our members reside.

The existence of the DWDP is justified by the fact that disabled women are discriminated against on the basis of both their sex and disability (and until recently on the basis of their colour). The long term aim of the DWDP is to counter these negative attitudes against disabled women and to create a more positive image of women with disabilities.

The DWDP was initiated against a background of the non-involvement of disabled women in the mainstream activities of women. The Decade of Women did not rest in any significant improvements in the status of disabled women and it is hoped that through the DWDP these women will achieve recognition and have their rights protected and respected.

The programme is also set against the need to improve and increase the range of projects available to women entrepreneurs. Traditionally, disabled women have been made to work on inferior project ideas such as craft and knitting. In recent times, these women have asserted their right to undertake more profitable projects that increase income security and create gainful employment for the benefit of themselves and their families.

The DWDP creates the necessary enabling environment for disabled women to address all these issues with the ultimate aim of eventually changing these factors in favour of disable women. The programme is also aimed at creating an environment for the effective provision of services and resources to women with disabilities, in order to positively change their status, level and extent of their participation in mainstream development and to achieve increased equal opportunity.

Contact: Hendrietta Bogopane, Disabled Women's Coordinator
7th Floor Lancet Hall
207 Jeppe St (cnr Von Wielligh)
Johannesburg

PO Box 39008, Booysens 2016
PO Box 1568 Johannesburg 2000

Tel: 011-333-4505/6
Fax: 011-333-4822
Cell: 082-200-6370

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