International NGO Sightsavers has launched a petition calling for the UN to meet the needs of persons with disabilities, who are facing the worst effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The lives of persons with disabilities are being put at greater risk due to a lack of action from governments around the world to meet their needs during the pandemic, according to campaigners.
The petition is part of Sightsavers’ Equal World campaign, which seeks to amplify the voices of people with disabilities and highlight the denial of rights that they face globally.
“This is a life and death situation. Like everyone else, we are anxious, we are doing our best to ensure we don’t catch or spread this virus, while we try to feed ourselves and our families.” said Shikuku Obosi, Sightsavers’ Disability Inclusion Advisor who is based in Nairobi.
“We, people with disabilities, are people. Just people. Nothing special or unusual. The difference is that we are also having to bend over backwards to get any recognition that we exist and that we also need assistance from our governments and development organisations. We are human too and we matter as well.
“Due to ongoing discrimination all over the world we see that, when a disaster like COVID strikes, we are the hardest hit and the least supported.”
The discrimination people with disabilities are reporting includes:
- Not being given vital information on COVID-19 in accessible formats
- Denial of essential personal support
- Being deprioritised to receive healthcare
- Increased risk of contracting COVID-19 in institutions
- Increased barriers for women and girls who wish to claim their sexual and reproductive health and rights
“The disability rights movement is in a strong position to influence the UN right now. Its new Disability Inclusion Strategy could ensure the rights and needs of people with disabilities are recognised and met across the entire UN system, including within its emergency health responses” said Natasha Kennedy, Campaign Manager of Equal World.
Equal World will collect petition signatures until 15 July 2020.
