The Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) has not just been helping develop PWDs and partners through overseas scholarships. It has also spurred active participation of women with disabilities and support groups in local fora on the rights of PWDs.

The Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) was one of the sponsors of the collaborated activity during the celebration of the “International Day of Persons with Disabilities” on December 3, 2011. The Council, through the National Steering committee created five (5) Thematic Sub-Groups to mark the celebration.  One of these groups is the “Sub-Group on Gender: Including Women and Girls with Disabilities, chaired by Ms. Carmen Reyes-Zubiaga, President, WOWLEAP.

Ms. Zubiaga led the “Leadership Training for Women with Disabilities in Advocacy and Orientation on Gender and Development Programming at the Community Level” held at Bayview Hotel on November 23-24, 2011 attended by women and girls with disabilities, parents of children with disabilities and Focal Persons from various regions. The activity trained participants to lead advocacy initiatives and collaborations with partners in government and private sector towards empowerment of women and children with disabilities.