Conference on "Protecting and Empowering Persons with Disabilities in the African Region in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic "

 On October 29th, 2020, the Academy on Human Rights and Humanitarian Law and the Office of the Special Envoy of the United Nations Secretary-General on Disability and Accessibility hosted a webinar on "Protecting and Empowering Persons with Disabilities in the African Region in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic". The purpose of this webinar was to identify, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, barriers, and challenges in addressing the acute and longer-term needs and human rights of persons with disabilities in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). Additionally, this event explored areas of collaboration focused on the economic and social empowerment of persons with disabilities and based on harnessing synergies and comparative advantages among governments, organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs), civil society, and private sector entities, and other stakeholders. The event allowed panelists to share experiences and good practices in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic on resuming or continuing the provision of health and education services, as well as identifying existing barriers and challenges in these respects.

Event Details

Opening Remarks

  •  María Soledad Cisternas Reyes, Special Envoy of the United Nations Secretary General on Disability and Accessibility
  • Claudio Grossman, Dean Emeritus and Raymond Geraldson Scholar for International and Humanitarian Law, American University Washington College of Law (AUWCL)

Barriers and challenges in addressing the acute and longer-term needs and human rights of persons with disabilities in the context of COVID-19 pandemic:

  • Danlami Basharu, Chair United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
  • Ikponwosa Ero, United Nations Independent Expert on the Enjoyment of Human Rights by Persons with Albinism
  • Gertrude Oforiwa Fefoame, United Nations Member of the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Global Advocacy Advisor of Social Inclusion, Sightsavers
  • Idriss Maiga Alzouma, President of the African Disability Forum (ADF), President of the West African Federation of Disabled (WAFOD)
  • Alex Munyambabazi, Founder and Executive Director of Amputee Self-Help Network Uganda (ASNU)
  • Javier Vásquez, (Moderator), Senior Advisor to the Special Envoy of the United Nations Secretary-General on Disability and Accessibility, Adjunct Associate Faculty on Global Health Law, American University Washington College of Law (AUWCL)
  • Claudia Martin, (Closing Remarks), Co-Director, Academy on Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, American University Washington College of Law (AUWCL)

Event Recording

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