Promotion of Women Living with Disabilities’ Right to Work in Madagascar 2. GOVERNANCE, LEGAL PROTECTION AND WOMEN IN DECISION-MAKING ................................................................... 124

Promotion of Women Living with Disabilities’ Right to Work in Madagascar

While there is no official figure currently on how many people are living with disabilities in Madagascar,1 it is acknowledged that women living with disabilities face intersecting forms of discrimination based on their disability and on their gender. They are often victims of prejudice, violence and neglect and face multiple obstacles in participating in social life.731

The Association of Handicapped Women of Madagascar (AFHAM), created in 2011 by women living with disabilities, works towards the empowerment of women living with disabilities and the strengthening of their capacities as part of the fight against poverty, through training, research, advocacy and support to members. One AFHAM’s primary focuses is the issue of discrimination that women living with disabilities face in getting a job, such as the belief that they are incompetent and inefficient and that it will be costly for the company to hire them.

AFHAM collaborates with the Platform of Federations of People with Disabilities based in Antananarivo to advocate for the reform of Law No. 97-044 of 1998 on people living with disabilities’ rights, so it complies with Article 27 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The current law lacks several guarantees, such as the right to exercise labour and trade union rights or the requirement to provide reasonable accommodation to persons with disabilities in the workplace.

Meanwhile, the association started a partnership with the African Women Development Fund in 2018 to implement the Economic Empowerment of Women with Disabilities: Promoting their Employment and Decent Work Rights Project. In 2018, the two-year Project conducted a research study on the employment rate of women living with disabilities. This showed that many women lack qualification as girls with disabilities are often not sent to school, the priority being given by parents to boys and children without disability. Additionally, the research pointed out that, even when women living with disabilities do have qualifications, they often do not dare apply for jobs as they have internalised society’s prejudices according to which they are not competent and fear stigma and discrimination. Finally, the research stressed the general exclusion of women with disabilities from society. All these elements lead to their deficient employment integration.

AFHAM contacted the Association of Women Entrepreneurs of Madagascar to present the research results and seek collaboration. AFHAM thought that women entrepreneurs might be more sensitive about the challenges faced by women with disabilities and willing to help them. Further, AFHAM explained how hiring women with disabilities fell under the corporate and social responsibility of businesses. Discussions were successful and led to the signature of a partnership agreement on the hiring of women with disabilities. As of today, more than 80 women have found a job in women entrepreneur companies, working as operators, cleaners or receptionists.

AFHAM has also conducted meetings with other associations of employers. However, negotiations have so far been inconclusive, as issues of profitability are significant obstacles raised by employers. AFHAM will nevertheless continue its advocacy work.

Meanwhile, AFHAM organises radio and television shows to raise awareness among the general public about women with disabilities’ capacities through success storytelling, and about issues and discrimination they face. The Project has found success in legislative advocacy and on-the-ground partnerships that improve the lives of women with disabilities through concrete actions.

1 The thematic report on persons with disabilities reporting on the results of the 2018 census has not yet been published.