Beijing+30 Side Event: Changemakers Advancing the Rights and Leadership of Women and Girls with Disabilities in Asia and the Pacific

Beijing+30 Side Event: Changemakers Advancing the Rights and Leadership of Women and Girls with Disabilities in Asia and the Pacific
This event underscores why achieving gender equality requires a concerted focus on the rights of women with disabilities and presents the perspectives of women with disabilities from Asia and the Pacific who are breaking down barriers and contributing solutions to 21st century challenges. Full details ▼
Event type:
Start date: 20 November 2024 | Start time: 12:30 UTC +00:00
End date: 20 November 2024 | End time: 13:45 UTC +00:00
Location: United Nations Conference Centre, Bangkok, and online via Zoom

Event description

Start date: 20 November 2024 | Start time: 12:30 UTC +07:00
End date: 20 November 2024 | End time: 13:45 UTC +07:00

 

Attendance: This was a hybrid event. In-person attendance was for delegates registered for the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on the Beijing+30 Review.  International Sign Language interpretation and English CART captioning were provided.

 

REGISTRATION IS CLOSED

Accessibility support: International Sign Language interpretation and English CART captioning will be provided.

Overview

The side event, Changemakers Advancing the Rights and Leadership of Women and Girls with Disabilities in Asia and the Pacific, was co-organized by UN Women and UNESCAP and took place during the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on the Beijing+30 Review in Bangkok, Thailand.

The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action has been instrumental in advancing global gender equality, yet it is vital to recognize the unique experiences of women with disabilities, who continue to face multiple forms of discrimination, and simultaneously the important role they play in advancing gender equality.

This side event showcased the leadership of changemakers – women with disabilities from Asia and the Pacific – who are breaking down barriers, advocating for the rights of women with disabilities, and leading transformation within their communities, professions and countries to help address the challenges of our time. It also highlighted successful interventions by governments and called on all participants to embrace their roles as changemakers and allies in advancing the rights and leadership of women and girls with disabilities.

Visit side event Flickr album

Objectives

  • Promote inclusion and leadership: Highlight the importance of including women and girls with disabilities in leadership and decision-making roles.
  • Showcase successful strategies: Share best practices and policies that have effectively advanced the rights and leadership of women with disabilities.
  • Foster allyship and collective action: Emphasise strategies for acting as allies and expanding networks of changemakers to support the empowerment of women and girls with disabilities.
  • Address intersectionality: Highlight the unique barriers faced by women with disabilities due to overlapping discrimination.

Speakers

Moderator

Dr. Robbie Francis Watene, Disabled Research Lead at the Donald Beasley Institute, New Zealand; Global Heumann Fellow at the World Institute on Disability; and Co-Founder and Director of The Lucy Foundation.

Opening Remarks

Ms. Christine Arab, Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, UN Women.
Mr. Srinivas Tata, Director of the Social Development Division, UN ESCAP.

Keynote Remarks

Ms. Miyeon Kim, Member of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Persons with Disabilities and Chair of the Working Group of Women and Girls with Disabilities of the Committee; Founder, Korea Disability Law Association; and Founder of Women with Disabilities Arts and Cultural Network.

Panelists

Ms. Pratima Gurung, General Secretary and Asia Focal Person, Indigenous Persons with Disabilities Global Network (IPWDGN) and President of National Indigenous Disabled Women Association Nepal (NIDWAN)

Ms. Chia Yong Yong PBM BBM, Lawyer; Social Advocate; former Nominated Member of Parliament; Board Advisory Panel of SPD, Singapore; Adviser to Ministry of Social and Family; Board Member of the Housing and Development Board; and Member of the Steering Committee for the Enabling Masterplan 2030.

Ms. Beatrice Leong, Founder, AIDA (Autism Inclusiveness Direct Action Group) and Independent Documentary Filmmaker.

Ms. Ipul Powaseu OBE, Senior Program Manager, Disability Inclusion, PNG Women Lead Program, and Pacific Region Focal Person for the Indigenous Persons with Disabilities Global Network.

Changemaker Governments

Dr. Anna Cody, Sex Discrimination Commissioner, Australian Human Rights Commission and Clare Gibellini, Policy Officer, Women with Disabilities Australia and Indonesia (presenting jointly).

Dr. Eva Rahmi Kasim, MDS, Head of Yogyakarta Center for Social Welfare Education and Training, (Ministry of Social Affairs).

Closing Remarks

Ms. Laxmi Nepal, Executive Director of Access Planet and Youth Advocate

Ms. Petra Angelina, Disability rights activist and YAPESDI student (video message)

Accessibility support: International Sign Language interpretation and English CART captioning will be provided.