HCD, Italian Association for Women in Development sign MoU

AMMAN — The Higher Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (HCD) and the Italian Association for Women in Development (AIDOS) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Monday with the aim of ensuring access to a comprehensive system of specialised services for women with disabilities at risk or survivors of gender-based violence, and residents in host communities.

The MoU, signed at the HCD headquarters, also includes informal camps and gender-based violence shelters in the governorates of Mafraq and Amman, according to a statement from the HCD.

The MoU is part of the project “No woman left behind. Gender based violence and disabilities: turning vulnerability into ability”, financed by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation Amman. 

It also aims to develop a "guide on how to address gender-based violence against persons with disabilities in shelters", in addition to mainstreaming the rights of persons with disabilities in the shelters’ current protocol of care.

The MoU will also ensure the provision of accessibility requirements and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities in accordance with Building Code Requirements for Persons with Disabilities in Dar Al Wifaq and Dar Amina, which are affiliated with the Ministry of Social Development, the statement said.

In addition, it provides technical support in the field of training for staff working in organisations of persons with disabilities, civil society organisations and shelters. 

The training will focus on gender-based violence against persons with disabilities, on the human rights approach in dealing with persons with disabilities and in developing awareness-raising materials in accessible formats for persons with disabilities.

Deputising for HCD president, HH Prince Mired, the council’s Secretary-General Muhannad Alazzeh and  AIDOS President Maria Grazia Panunzi signed the MoU.

Alazzeh said that through this partnership and other programmes and projects that the council implements with international and local partners, the HCD seeks to overcome obstacles facing people with disabilities, in a way that guarantees their protection and access to various services, freely and independently.

Panunzi said: “It has been fundamental to be here to sign this MoU, which marks the renewed interest of AIDOS and the Higher Council for the rights of person with disabilities to continue and strengthen the very fruitful collaboration which started last year. Thanks to this work we will jointly contribute to ensure the full enjoyment by women and girls with disabilities of their right to a life free of violence.”