HUMAN RIGHTS 75- Women and Girls with Disabilities Participation in Public and Political spaces

I am honored to be here with you on this day set aside for all of you and for all of us here present to discuss your essential role in the public and political places. 

This year, on 10 December, the Universal Declaration on Human Rights (UDHR) will turn 75 years. The 75th anniversary of the UDHR provides a unique opportunity to rejuvenate respect for human rights globally and advance the Declaration’s promise of freedom, equality, and justice for all;

Even though Liberia has produced the first female president in Africa (2006-2018) and currently has a female vice-president, the country has struggled to achieve gender parity in politics and leadership and has struggled to bring more women into the public sphere, as strong stakeholders in politics and leadership. With around 50% population of women, women have continued to be underrepresented in decisionmaking and leadership in politics and the public domain. Currently, only one woman with a disability sits in Parliament.

While women's political participation rates are low overall, women with disabilities are even more underrepresented due to discriminatory norms and attitudes based on gender and disability. This makes people consider them incapable of voting or holding office due to stereotypical characteristics ascribed to women and physical or intellectual disabilities. This contributes to a lack of access to polling stations, inaccessible voting material, and few women political candidates with disabilities. Electoral processes should be  inclusive and participatory, and any action to improve women's participation in political and public life must include women and girls with disabilities. 

Women’s equal and meaningful participation in decision-making is not only a right in itself but also represents a necessary condition for women’s human rights to be respected and their interests to shape public decisions. Women’s participation in political processes also improves them, builds their confidence and more inclusive decisions are made as different voices are heard, leading to the exploration of different solutions.

Women’s equal political participation and representation are also logical. This participation includes all women but is especially pertinent for women with disabilities. Studies and research have shown that one in five women around the world have a disability, but far too often they are excluded from participating in decision-making because there is a lack of physical access to a room, or there is no sign language interpretation, or the information materials aren’t in an accessible format; such translation of materials in braille.

Women and girls from historically marginalized groups must be supported to participate in all levels of decision-making in public and political life- therefore, the government must pledge to take concrete and transformative action to tackle gender-based violence and discrimination against women and girls in public and political life and to promote their participation in leadership roles.

For the government to go further to promote women’s role in public life; it must a. Level the playing field and expand the pool of women ready to lead, including women with disabilities. b. The government must exhibit the political will to ensure women with disabilities are not left behind and create an environment conducive to their participation. 

To conclude, it’s important to stress that women’s equal participation in public and political life alone, cannot be promoted in Liberia and anywhere else, if we do not secure women’s right to equality in all aspects of family life, freedom from gender-based violence, sexual and reproductive health and rights, and opportunities for economic empowerment.” 

It is my hope that as we celebrate 75 years of the UDHR, the policymakers will rethink and redraft their commitments through pledges on ensuring women and girls with disabilities have the voice and space to participate in public and political life.

I thank you