“States Parties recognize that women and girls with disabilities are subject to multiple discriminations, and in this regard shall take measures to ensure the full and equal enjoyment by them of all their human rights and fundamental freedoms.” UN General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities on 13 December 2006.
On 9 June, UN Women, the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Korea to the United Nations, and the UN’s Department of Economic and Social Affairs co-hosted a panel discussion on “Women with Disabilities” as part of the 8th session of the Conference of States Parties to the CRPD at the United Nations Headquarters in New York from 9 to 11 June
According to the UN WomenWatch report, there are about 650 million people in the world (10 per cent of the world’s population) — live with disabilities, and are exposed to a myriad of physical and social obstacles. “They often lack the opportunities of the mainstream population and are usually among the most marginalized in society.” Women and Girls with Disability face the most obstacle due to certain cultural, legal and institutional barriers and face discrimination in two folds: as women and as persons with disabilities.
Ms. Hetle presented UN Women’s work on the implementation of the CRPD, which focused on bringing the rights and empowerment of women and girls – with disabilities to the forefront of gender equality and disability-inclusive movements. “Girls and women of all ages with any form of disability are among the more vulnerable and marginalized of society. There is, therefore, need to take into account and to address their concerns in all policy-making and programming. Special measures are needed at all levels to integrate them into the mainstream of development.
“The Global Connections for Women Foundation understands the importance of empowering women and girls with disabilities and the urgency of providing access to an education program. Earlier this year, we launched the GC4W New School Development Project for the Disabled Girls in Karamajiji, Abuja (Nigeria), The name “Karamajiji” means “Disable City” – a city with over 90% of its residents challenged by their physical disabilities. We are committed to building new classrooms, providing a school bus, tables and chairs, uniforms, school supplies, and clean water supply – to further ensure the success of these girls” said Lilian O. Ajayi, Founder and Executive Director of Global Connections for Women Foundation (GC4W).
We launched a new crowdfunding campaign on “Give Forward” to benefit the GC4W Karamajiji New School Development Project for Disabled Girls in Karamajiji, Nigeria.
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To learn more on the UN Women presents its work on women and girls with disabilities visit www.UNWomen.org. Download the PDF of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and Optional Protocol http://www.un.org/disabilities/documents/convention/convoptprot-e.pdf
