주유엔 대한민국 대표부

The Permanent Mission of the Republic of Korea is delighted to host today’s side event on “Rural Women and Girls with Disabilities” , together with other co-sponsors, the State of Qatar and Sweden. I would like to thank our co-sponsors for their full support, as well as the speakers and moderator of the event. 

Korea has been a strong proponent of the rights of women with disabilities. We hosted side events focusing on women and girls with disabilities in the margins of the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) in 2015 and 2016, to discuss how we can accelerate implementation of the relevant provisions of the CRPD in a gender-responsive way. The result of those events gave us valuable input toward developing our policies and strategies in regard to advancing equality and the rights of women and girls with disabilities. 

This year, we would like to narrow our focus on women and girls with disabilities in rural areas. As we all know, women and girls with disabilities are likely to be subject to multiple forms of discrimination, based on their gender, their disabilities, or both. The challenges they face are even greater in rural areas, where inequality and marginalization of women is more common. 

They are especially vulnerable to poverty, violence, lack of education and economic opportunities, and highly affected by risks such as conflict or natural disasters. Protecting their rights, securing their access to economic opportunities and social services, and including their voice in the decision-making process are crucial in achieving the full implementation of both the Beijing Declaration and its Platform for Action, and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly in light of its underlying commitment to “leaving no one behind” and “reaching first those who are furthest behind.” 

Today’s discussion will build on the results of the previous side events hosted by our Mission on women and girls with disabilities, and the side event hosted by the Swedish Mission in the margins of the 56^th Session of the CSW in 2012.  I hope it will provide us with insights to better understand the situation and challenges of rural women and girls with disabilities, and help us make concrete recommendations for policy guidelines or strategies to address those challenges. 

In this regard, I very much look forward to listening to your presentations as well as the lively discussions between the panelists and among the audience. Thank you!  //End/