“Youth leadership becomes powerful when it is grounded in rights, not charity.
A rights-based approach means:
- persons with disabilities have the right to safety and information,
- they must be included in planning—not just rescued later,
- and DRRM systems should remove barriers instead of expecting persons with disabilities to “adjust.”
Youth can help shift mindsets by:
- emphasizing co-creation (not token consultation),
- valuing lived experience,
- and ensuring that everyone—from homes to schools to barangays—is represented.
Inclusion is not an extra step — it is a requirement for safety.”


