The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will not be met unless world leaders take concrete action on disability rights at a major summit this April, campaigners have warned.
The Global Disability Summit, which will take place in Berlin between 2-3 April, comes as a UN report reveals insufficient progress on disability inclusion. The report highlights stalled or reversed progress in nearly 14% of SDG targets, including access to financial resources, health care, water, information and communication technologies, and building resilience for people with disabilities during emergencies.
Munazza Gillani, Director Sightsavers Pakistan and Middle East said: “Here in Pakistan these challenges are all too real. Our government must use the Global Disability Summit to make specific, funded commitments that will make a real difference to the lives of people with disabilities – from education and health care to employment and protection from violence. The summit presents a unique opportunity for Pakistan to demonstrate leadership in disability inclusion and we cannot afford to leave anyone behind.”
In Pakistan, around 16% of people with disabilities are lacking access to basic human rights. As the Government of Pakistan prepares to participate in the upcoming Global Disability Summit, it has a unique opportunity to reaffirm its commitments to inclusive development and empowerment of people with disabilities. The Government of Pakistan can use this opportunity to announce new initiatives, commitments, and partnerships that promote accessible healthcare, inclusive education, and decent employment for people with disabilities.
Asim Zafar, Secretary to National Coordinator Community Based Inclusive Development Network (Sightsavers’ Equal World Campaign Partner) said, “Around 1.3 billion people worldwide – that’s nearly one in five of us – have a disability. Yet despite repeated promises of inclusion, people with disabilities face deepening inequalities.”
In preparation for the summit, Sightsavers co-hosted an event with the STEP to bring together key stakeholders, including civil society organizations, government institutions, and disability rights advocates. This collaborative effort aims to ensure that everyone is well-prepared to make meaningful participation at the summit. Furthermore, the civil society reaffirmed its commitment to support the government in implementing inclusive commitments after the Global Disability Summit, demonstrating a unified front in promoting disability rights and inclusive development in Pakistan. Abia Akram, disability champion and representative of National Forum of Women with Disabilities said, “words are not enough to address disability issues. We need urgent action on disability rights. Without a clear plan to put recent commitments into action, we will fail to reach our collective goal of a safe, inclusive and sustainable world.”
Ahead of the summit, Sightsavers’ Equal World campaign is calling for the government of Pakistan to consider the voices of people with disabilities, especially young people. Notable civil society organizations, national and international organizations from Pakistan are attending the Global Disability Summit, underscoring the need for unity and coherence among government and other parties.
