Kuwait City: The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Dr. Heba Hegres, has emphasized the critical need to empower women and girls with disabilities to foster an inclusive and sustainable future. According to Kuwait News Agency, Dr. Hegres addressed this issue during a regional consultative session for the Middle East and North Africa, organized by the Kuwait Union of Women's Associations. She highlighted that the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals are approaching their deadline, yet the promise of full gender equality remains unfulfilled. For women and girls with disabilities, achieving this goal is particularly challenging due to compounded discrimination. Dr. Hegres referenced a statement by UN experts issued on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, which called on governments to enhance leadership roles for persons with disabilities. She pointed out that women and girls with disabilities face disproportionate challenges, including poverty, lack of healthcare, limited access to education and employment opportunities, restricted access to technology, and increased risk of abuse and violence. The expert also noted the issue of legal incapacitation faced by women and girls with intellectual and psychosocial disabilities, which often strips them of their autonomy in making critical personal decisions. She stressed that public policies frequently overlook the needs and concerns of these individuals, a situation worsened by the lack of disaggregated data by disability, age, gender, and other factors. Dr. Hegres called for the inclusion of women and girls with disabilities in policy priorities and decision-making processes and advocated for increased representation in leadership roles across all sectors, including human rights, gender equality, and disability rights movements. She emphasized the importance of consulting these women and girls on policies that affect their lives and involving them in discussions and decision-making processes. Additionally, Dr . Hegres highlighted the importance of addressing the intersection of gender and disability, including the impact of family dynamics on the rights of children with disabilities. She urged the establishment of care systems that are gender-sensitive, inclusive, and age-appropriate. Dr. Hegres mentioned that the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration presents a significant opportunity for governments to evaluate progress in advancing the rights of women and girls with disabilities. UN experts have urged governments to reaffirm their commitment to the Beijing Declaration, prioritize the rights of women and girls with disabilities, ensure their inclusion across all societal sectors, and improve coordination between frameworks for gender equality and disability rights.
