European Disability Forum on Gender Imbalance at the UN

Gender Imbalances Tipped On It Head at the UN

The disability movement has like most of society been calling for addressing the gender imbalance in the United Nations Committee for the Rights of Persons with Disability. We applaud the UN and congratulate the new members who will replace the current members who’s terms will expire on 31 December 2018.

This time, many State parties nominated and voted for qualified female candidates with disabilities. An important step forward compared to many years previously as the only female representative currently is Mrs. Theresia Degener; who is the Chair and leaving the Committee at the end of the year.

However, now we have nine experts – six women and three men – who will start working in the Committee in January 2019

My take on this is that gender balance is critical however it doesn’t seem balanced any more. Why not enact a committee of 10 and make 5 positions that must be filled by female, five by male?

Furthermore, where is the representation of people who’s sexual identity is not typical male/female. Lets now go the next step and broaden our mindset as to what constitutes full and proper representation of society.

And …. make the numbers balanced

You can read the article from the European Disability Forum by clicking the link below

Un Persons Rights with Disabilities

Trevor Green

Real Community Services