It was a great moment for all persons with disabilities around the world when everyone got together at the Conference of State Parties to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the adoption of the United Nations Convention of Rights of Persons with Disabilities and for the General Assembly of the CRPD at the United Nations Head Quarters in New York, USA in June 2016. Ms. Manique Gunaratne from South Asian Disability Forum and The Employers’ Federation of Ceylon Network on Disability and Mr. Santhush Peris from The Employers’ Federation of Ceylon Network on Disability participated at this high level conference. This year’s theme was “Implementing the 2030 development agenda for all persons with disabilities: Leaving no one behind”. The Sub-themes were:
- Eliminating poverty and inequality for all persons with disabilities
- Promoting the rights of persons with mental and intellectual disabilities
- Enhancing accessibility to information and technology and inclusive development
- Celebrating the 10th anniversary of the adoption of the CRPD
- Elections for nine members of the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities was held to replace those whose terms are due to expire in December 2016. Election of 9 members of the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities under article 34 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
There were more than 72 side events to discuss rights of persons with disabilities.
Civil Society Forum was held prior to the COSP with the theme of Leave No One Behind: the role of DPOs in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Ms. Manique Gunaratne made a presentation on “How networks of women with disabilities from South Asia and from the African region lead to the World Humanitarian Summit” at the side event on Global Meeting: “Implementation of Global Development and Humanitarian Goals – the Leadership Role of Women with Disabilities” Organised by UN Department of Economics and Social Affairs (DESA)
Co-sponsored by WRC, IDA, UN Women, Women Enabled. This meeting provided an opportunity for networks of women with disabilities, Member States and other key stakeholders to engage in substantive dialogue around the leadership of women with disabilities and their representative organizations in advancing global development and humanitarian goals.
The meeting build upon the initiatives of partners at the Commission on the Status of Women and the World Humanitarian Summit.
Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the United Nations, Disabled People’s International and International Foundation for Electoral Systems organized a side event on
How regional collaboration can lead to more effective implementation of political rights of persons with disabilities in the 2030 development agenda.
“Working to improve our own future: Strengthening networks of women with disabilities in humanitarian action” was organized by Women’s Refugee Commission, UN Women; Permanent Mission of Australia to the United Nations; Network of African Women with Disabilities; South Asian Disability Forum. This Side Event explored the intersections between gender and disability in humanitarian contexts, highlighting the importance of including
Women and girls with disabilities affected by crisis and conflict in the implementation of the 2030 development agenda. Furthermore, organizations of women
With disabilities can play a critical role in reaching women and girls with disabilities affected by crisis and conflict, bridging the development – humanitarian, Divide in an emergency, and strengthening community resilience in situations of protracted crisis. Ms. Manique Gunaratne explained how women with disabilities in Sri Lanka effected from the war was included into the society.
Picture descriptions for vision impaired persons:
1 Manique, Abia (Pakistan) and Pratheema (Nepal) at the closing ceremony of the COSP.
2 Manique, Arosh and Pratheema at the main hall on the final day.
3 Manique with Mijoo and Posan from Korea.
4 Manique at the main conference hall waiting to deliver a statement.
5 Manique, Jane (Kenya) and Santhush at UN entrance.
6 Manique at the side event on leaving no one behind.
7 Manique, Arosh and Lakmal.
8 Manique and Arosh with the painting donated by Sri Lanka to UN.
9 Manique in the main hall at the General assembly.
10 Manique near the golden globe.
11 Manique and Santhush with the Sri Lankan flag.
12 Manique signing in the UN guest book.
13 Manique and Tungi (Tanzania) at the opening ceremony.
14 Manique at the side event for women with disabilities organized by the Korean deligation.
15 Side event organized by the Permanent Mission for Sri Lanka to the UN.
16 Manique and Athif (Pakistan) at the political participation side event.
17 Manique and Dr. Rohan Perera (Representive of the Permanent Mission for Sri Lanka to the UN).
18 Manique with Senerath Aththanayake (provincial council MP Sri Lanka) and Niluka from the Sri Lankan Embassy in US.
19 Manique presenting at the women with disabilities side event.
20 Manique presenting at the Women Refugee Commission side event for women with disabilities.
21 Manique and Santhush at a side event.
Manique Gunaratne
The Employers’ Federation of Ceylon,
385 J3 Old Kotte Road,
Rajagiriya,
Sri Lanka.