WOMEN with disabilities regardless of age and race are marginalized in society. They need freedom and protection from exploitation, violence and abuse in order to live normally. According to recent studies, less than five percent of persons with disabilities have access to education and training. This is one of the reasons why SM Cares Committee on Disability Affairs headed by Engr. Bien Mateo, AVP for Operations of SM Supermalls, in coordination with SM Women’s Committee headed by Mary Ann King, SM Regional Operations Manager, recently celebrated in line with the celebration of Women’s Month the ‘Women with Disability Day Celebration 2010’ at the Skydome in SM City North Edsa.

Through this event, SM created awareness that women with disabilities have the right to live a normal life and are very much a part of society. SM’s Committee on Disability Affairs went into partnership with various organizations to care for persons with disabilities and create pubic awareness providing a supportive environment for them. SM upgrade its facilities, trained its staff and personnel to make SM Supermalls accessible, safe, friendly and supportive to PWDs. For its work, the SM Committee on Disability Affairs was recognized and awarded an Anvil for  Excellence, a prestigious award body in the Philippines.

At the presentation of the NCDA plaque of appreciation held- last March 25 at the Skydome of SM City North Edsa are from left: -Gigi Ruiz of the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA), Portia Palma, Information Officer 3 of Philippine Information Agency (PIA), Mirana Miranda, representative of Autism Society Philippines (ASP), Mateo Lee, Executive Director of NCDA, Kate Gordon, wife of Sen. Dick Gordon and Carmen Zubriaga of WOW LEAT and Municipality of Taytay.