Resource centre for differently abled-women opened

Speaking on the occasion, Esther Mariaselvam, Regional Manager, ActionAid India, said that the resource centre was a sort of a one-stop shop for accessing any service for women with disability. “Women with disability are more prone to various types of violence. We wanted to create a centre where we can provide information on various rights of persons as well as help women with disability to access health care and repair their assistive devices. We are also helping them with training to ensure they get a livelihood. We have already trained women with disability or their parents into jute making and quilt making and have set up a production unit. Many women with disability are forced to undergo sterilisation surgery or abortion against their will. We provide counselling to help them get over this problem. The centre will also provide referrals for education while informing women with disability on the welfare schemes that they can avail,” added the regional manager. The resource centre is located at Srinivasa Gandhi Nilayam on TTK Road.

Women with disability across TN can access the centre through ActionAid’s network. The centre was inaugurated by Ishara Davey, Second Secretary and Consul, Australian Consulate General, in the presence of Simmachandran, President, Federation of TN Differently-abled Association.