Guterres:Let us all commit to work together to tackle the obstacles, injustices and discrimination that persons with disabilities experience

Commemorating the International Day of Persons with Disabilities the UN Secretary-General António Guterres said the one billion persons living with disabilities worldwide are less likely to enjoy access to education, healthcare and livelihoods or to participate and be included in the community and the COVID-19 pandemic deepened these pre-existing inequalities. 

Guterres emphasized that persons with disabilities are more likely to live in poverty and experience higher rates of violence, neglect and abuse.  “And when crises such as COVID-19 grip communities, persons with disabilities are among the worst affected”  he added. 

The UN Secretary-General urged promoting inclusion for persons with disabilities by recognizing and protecting their rights. “These rights touch on every aspect of life: the right to go to school, to live in one’s community, to access health care, to start a family, to engage in political participation, to be able to play sport, to travel -- and to have decent work” he said.

“As the world recovers from the pandemic, we must ensure that the aspirations and rights of persons with disabilities are included and accounted for in a -inclusive, accessible and sustainable post COVID-19 world” Mr. Guterres stressed. 

He also stated that this can only be achieved through active consultation with persons with disabilities and their representative organizations.

In his message for the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the UN Secretary General urged everyone to commit to work together to tackle the obstacles, injustices and discrimination that persons with disabilities experience.