Today, the world population is estimated at over 8 billion people and more than one billion people, or approximately 15% of the world’s population, live with some form of disability; 80% live in developing countries. Women with disabilities are amongst the most marginalized underrepresented group in society.
The International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) aims to promote the rights of persons with disabilities in all spheres of society and development, and to increase awareness of the situation of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life.
The campaign
IDPD and Human Rights Day are pivotal moments to raise awareness on disability inclusion. As we continue to build back better after the COVID-19 pandemic, it is more important than ever to ensure that there is awareness around disability inclusion.
Through the IDPD to Human Rights Day campaign, we plan to raise awareness on the barriers to social, economic, and political inclusion that women with disabilities experience. The campaign is informed by a Photovoice study on women with disabilities in Nepal as well as the My Lens My Reality photo exhibition, featuring the stories of 10 women with disabilities. This campaign marks the culmination of a series of events and exhibitions which took place throughout 2022 in Nepal and Switzerland. With this campaign, we look to combat stigmatization and address intersectional discrimination against women with disabilities.
The toolkit
This social media toolkit has a large number of posts. It is meant to be used like a menu – so that people or organizations can use the posts that reach their audience or fit with their work.
Get involved and add your voice to the campaign by using the social media toolkit to increase the profile of disability inclusion to governments, policymakers, NGOs, media and the general public.
Partners on this project include – CBM Switzerland, FAIRMED, Handicap International Switzerland (HI), and the International Disability Alliance (IDA). Visit the Photovoice study and My Lens My Reality exhibition.
Posts
Friday 2 December - Theme: IDPD campaign is coming
Tomorrow is #IDPD2022‼️
The #SDDC_ch consortium members will be focusing on the barriers and enablers of economic, social and political inclusion faced by women with #disabilities. Stay tuned for more. @CbmSchweiz @FAIRMED59 @hi_suisse @IDA_CRPD_Forum
(Alt text: Symbols of disability with the words International Day of Persons with Disabilities and picture of two hands in the shape of a heart in front of the world with 3 December at the bottom.)
For a week, the #SDDC_ch consortium will be celebrating #DisabilityInclusion + #IDPD22.
➡️ Like, share and follow these accounts to know more @CbmSchweiz @FAIRMED59 @hi_suisse @IDA_CRPD_Forum
(Alt text: Logos of CBM (Global Disability Inclusion), FAIR MED (Health for the Poorest), HI (Handicap International, Humanity & Inclusion), IDA (International Disability Alliance.)
On #IDPD2022, the #SDDC_ch consortium calls on Swiss international cooperation actors to consult and involve women with #disabilities in the planning and implementation of their activities. Learn more: http://bit.ly/3TZPlV6 #DisabilityInclusion #MyLensMyReality
Twitter Tags
@SwissAmbNepal @swiss_un @SwissDevCoop @MarinaCarobbio @uschneiderschue @parlCH
Facebook Tags
@ SwissEmbassyKathmandu @SwissDevCoop @marina.carobbio @ursulamurten @ParlCH
(Alt text: Picture of braided string representing the SDDC.)
The Photovoice exhibition #MyLensMyReality, features 10 women with disabilities from #Nepal, and has been traveling around #Nepal & #Switzerland throughout the year. Learn more: http://bit.ly/3Ox8jkK #SDDC_ch
(Alt text: The portraits of the women from the exhibition "My Lens My Reality - on the rights of women with disabilities". Organized by the Swiss Disability and Development Consortium (SDDC), CBM, FAIRMED, HI and IDA.)
Saturday 3 December – International Day of Persons with Disabilities
Theme: Social Inclusion
Ganga from #Nepal illustrates that much remains to be done to ensure the full implementation of the #UNCRPD and #SDGs for women with #disabilities. https://bit.ly/3BZYwxp #SDDC_ch #IDPD2022 #MyLensMyReality @unibern
(Alt text: Picture of Ganga with the quote: “In a society that doesn’t accept daughters, how can I expect them to accept a person with a disability?”)
Women with #disabilities in #Nepal + worldwide face stigmatization, #discrimination & disability related extra costs. These are only some of the factors that impact the #inclusion of women with disabilities. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3M7vjoQ #SDDC_ch #IDPD2022
(Alt text: A diversity of hands interlocked.)
Development cooperation partners including @SwissDevCoop must ensure the participation & meaningful consultation of #women with #disabilities in all phases of policy making and program cycle management. Read more: https://bit.ly/3M7vjoQ #DevCoop #IDPD2022 #DisabilityInclusion
(Alt text: Ayipele Agomanap, 41, an Epilepsy survivor explains her situation to other members of her self-help group in Sandema, Northern Ghana. Self-help groups serve as solidarity platforms for members and facilitate their access to health and micro-economic programmes.)
National surveys and #DevCoop actors must systematically collect disaggregated data on persons with #disabilities, a study on women with disabilities in #Nepal recommends. Read more: https://bit.ly/3M7vjoQ #SDDC_ch #IDPD2022 #DisabilityInclusion
(Alt text: Picture at night of buildings with lights on. Binary code over buildings. Three computers running code.)
The #SDGs can't truly be achieved if we leave women & girls with disabilities behind. The #SDDC_ch consortium calls on governments and policy makers to actively include women with #disabilities in their strategies to ensure that #NoOneIsLeftBehind #DisabilityInclusion #IDPD2022
(Alt text: Illustration of a diverse group of persons with disabilities. SDGs logo and the icon of a magnifying glass.)
Gender equality is central to a fairer world. To implement the #CRPD and achieve the #SDGs, the concerns of women with #disabilities must be mainstreamed while also targeting their specific needs. #SDDC_ch #IDPD2022 #DisabilityInclusion @UNTreatyBodies
(Alt text: Picture of Ana Peláez Narváez, CEDAW Committee, with the quote: “Nothing about disability should be done without women with disabilities.”)
Women with #disabilities have the right to raise their voice and have access to social security benefits, employment, education, health services, be safe from violence, and live in communities that are accessible. Thanks for following us on #IDPD2022 Learn more: bit.ly/3Ox8jkK
(Alt text: Screenshot of the video with the portraits of the women from the exhibition "My Lens My Reality - on the rights of women with disabilities". Organized by the Swiss Disability and Development Consortium (SDDC), CBM, FAIRMED, HI and IDA, along with someone doing international sign.)
Sunday 4 December - Theme: Access to social security benefits/disability related extra costs
Data indicates that women with #disabilities face barriers to participation in social, economic + political spheres. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3M7vjoQ #SDDC_ch #IDPD2022 #DisabilityInclusion
(Alt text: “This is a picture of my cycle in front of my home. […] The cycle is my legs, without which I would not be able to go anywhere” - Deu Kumari, Nepal. Next to this, the picture she took of her bicycle.)
Worldwide, women with #disabilities are more likely to be poor, unemployed or underemployed, have less access to education and economic opportunities, and face catastrophic health expenditures. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3M7vjoQ #SDDC_ch #IDPD2022 #DisabilityInclusion
(Alt text: “I chose this image because it is very significant in my life, it is where I live. You can see that it is very difficult to sustain my life here. But I still manage to live here. Because it gives me the feeling of protection and security.” Quote next to the picture of Sahida’s house.)
Monday 5 December - Theme: Access to Employment
Kamala participated in a Photovoice exhibit called #MyLensMyReality where she focused on the barriers she faces to her #inclusion in #Nepal. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3BZYwxp #SDDC_ch
(Alt text: “They say things like: ‘You have a disability; how will you be able to work?’ […] I don't like that.” -Kamala, Nepal. Quote next to her portrait.)
“They just look at our faces and decide that we can't work,” says one woman with a #disability on the barriers to her economic #inclusion. Find out more: https://bit.ly/3M7vjoQ #SDDC_ch #IDPD2022 #DisabilityInclusion
(Alt text: Picture of Nepali women with disabilities presenting to the CEDAW Committee.)
Promoting the employment of #women with #disabilities in the private & public sector & providing support for #entrepreneurship is essential for their #inclusion in society, a study finds. Read about it: https://bit.ly/3M7vjoQ #SDDC_ch #IDPD2022 #DisabilityInclusion
(Alt text: Rupa, a woman with disabilities in Nepal, took a picture of her crutches and the ‘achar’ (Nepali pickles) she sells as part of her small business.)
Tuesday 6 December - Theme: Access to education
Action is needed to ensure women’s economic, educational, and political #inclusion and to implement the #UNCRPD and #SDGs. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3BZYwxp #SDDC_ch #IDPD2022 @UNDESA
(Alt text: Quote: “Persons with #disabilities can do anything with education and a good job, instead we are being segregated.” -Sumitra, Nepal next to her portrait.)
Evidence shows that women with #disabilities often lack self-confidence. The discrimination, stigma, lack of education and accessibility leads to many barriers. Know more: https://bit.ly/3M7vjoQ #SDDC_ch #IDPD2022 #DisabilityInclusion @_ATscale @UNOPS
(Alt text: Map in the background with a diverse set of cartoon people figures and a wheelchair.)
A huge digital divide has hampered the right to education of young women, running the risk of deepening inter-generational poverty. Let's get all children, including children with #disabilities, what they need to succeed #DisabilityInclusion #IDPD2022 @_ATscale @UNOPS
(Alt text: Drawing of a person who cannot access a mainstream survey tool because it is not accessible.)
Investing in #AssistiveTechnology is a critical first step to full inclusion and the inequity of provision of AT is shocking: ranging from less than 3% in some countries to up to 90% in some high-income environments. #DisabilityInclusion #IDPD2022 @_ATscale @UNOPS @PascalBijleveld
(Alt text: Two people shaking hands, one a prosthetic hand.)
Wednesday 7 December - Theme: Violence against women with disabilities
Gender-based violence is prevalent throughout the lives of many #women with #disabilities, a new study finds. Find out more: https://bit.ly/3M7vjoQ #SDDC_ch #DisabilityInclusion #IDPD2022 #16Days
(Alt text: Conceptual picture where we can see a woman raising her hand to protect herself from violence.)
Despite efforts of States, women + girls with #disabilities continue to suffer disproportionately from violence and abuse, facing barriers to the realization of their #HumanRights. Learn about experiences in #Nepal: https://bit.ly/3M7vjoQ #SDDC_ch #IDPD2022 #DisabilityInclusion
(Alt text: "There is an extreme rise in sexual violence towards people, especially women with disabilities. So, if we learn to defend ourselves, we have some way to help ourselves.” Quote from Sunita, Nepal, along with photo of women learning to defend themselves.)
The #SDDC_ch consortium calls on all actors to ensure the safety and dignity of women and girls with #disabilities. See this video about our travelling exhibition #MyLensMyReality #DisabilityInclusion #IDPD2022 #16Days
(Alt text: Picture from the video of the exhibit that says “My Lens My Reality is a photo exhibition on the rights of women with disabilities, which is traveling throughout Switzerland and Nepal.” )
Thursday 8 December - Theme: Accessibility of infrastructure
If designed correctly, infrastructure can empower persons with #disabilities to be part of societal, political and economic development. Know more: https://bit.ly/3M7vjoQ #SDDC_ch #IDPD2022 #DisabilityInclusion @UNDESA
(Alt text: Keyboard with a red return button that says Accessibility and has the image of a person in a wheelchair.)
#Accessibility of infrastructure & information is an important factor for #inclusion of #women with #disabilities. Learn more about a study in #Nepal https://bit.ly/3M7vjoQ #SDDC_ch #IDPD2022 #DisabilityInclusion
(Alt text: Broken pipe from an aqueduct, in a mountain village in Nepal, pouring water into a bowl that is overflowing.)
Attitudinal barriers for people with #disabilities form the basis of further obstacles. For example, infrastructure can limit the ability of someone with a disability to participate in everyday life. Discover: https://bit.ly/3M7vjoQ #SDDC_ch #IDPD2022 #DisabilityInclusion
(Alt text: “They (my friends) call me to meet and relax, but I can’t go there because they have stairs. It is one of the barriers that prevent me from being in touch with my friends.” -Rupa, Nepal next to picture of stairs.)
Friday 9 December - Theme: Access to health services
People with #disabilities experience poorer health and face widespread barriers in accessing services. @WHO
Find out more about the situation of women with #disabililties in #Nepal: https://bit.ly/3M7vjoQ #SDDC_ch #IDPD2022 #DisabilityInclusion
(Alt text: “And more so we need the access to medication, and it is very difficult to just get anti-depressants without a doctor’s note. So we have to come to Kathmandu all the time and that adds to the financial burden as well. So it is a major barrier.” Quote next to picture of medicine packets.)
Two years since the onset of the #pandemic, many nations are still struggling to recover. The systems failure has further crumbled the foundations on which people with disabilities rely — from healthcare to other basic social services. #SDDC_ch #IDPD2022
(Alt text: Picture of a hand holding a Covid-19 vaccine.)
Data from #Nepal shows that access to healthcare is not guaranteed for persons with disabilities. Appropriate medical treatment is often not provided, can be delayed, or results in added financial burdens. Look at https://bit.ly/3M7vjoQ #SDDC_ch #IDPD2022 #DisabilityInclusion
(Alt text: Four question marks in different colored thought bubbles.)
Saturday 10 December – Human Rights Day
Theme: 75th Anniversary — Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Today is #HumanRightsDay. The theme this year is celebrating the 75th Anniversary—Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Tell us how you are helping to support the phrase “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.” #DisabilityInclusion #StandUp4HumanRights
(Alt text: Human Rights Day, 10 December, with hands on white background.)
We must ensure that women and girls with #disabilities are included in social, economic and political life. This is an opportunity to make progress towards a world where everyone is included and can access their #HumanRights. @UNHumanRights #HumanRightsDay #SDDC_ch #DisabilityInclusion
(Alt text: Illustration of a diverse group of persons with disabilities shaking hands with someone from the government.)
Credits:
Created with an image by master1305 - "Together. Hands of different people in touch isolated on black studio background. Concept of relation, diversity, inclusion, community, togetherness. Hard and strong touching, creating one unit."