This oral statement was broadcasted at the 58th Session of the Human Rights Council Annual Debate on Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Click here to watch the statement.
Esteemed panel.
I am Ashrafun Nahar and I am making this statement on behalf of the Asian-Pacific Resource and Research Centre for Women (ARROW) and Women with Disabilities Development Foundation.
Women with disabilities still do not have complete access to digital and assistive technologies. Their double marginalisation of disability and gender makes them more vulnerable to violence and exclusion including facing cyberbullying. In this regard:
- In keeping with Article 9 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) that promotes accessibility in all aspects of life, we demand that accessible digital and assistive technologies be prioritized and made available at minimum cost to all women and girls with disabilities so that they can achieve their full potential particularly in sexual and reproductive health, education and employment.
- We urge Member States to create mechanisms for building awareness against gender based violence, protective strategies and safe digital environments in accordance with Article 5 on equality and non-discrimination and Article 6 on women with disabilities of the CRPD. We demand strict measures be taken for incidences of cyber bullying particularly for women and girls with disabilities that includes racism, xenophobia and ableist remarks.
- Governments must also prioritise, introduce and implement disability inclusive national SRHR policies, allocate adequate budget and resources to enhance digital literacy.
