At the start of 2020, none of us could have foreseen how life was about to change for people all over the world.

But we quickly learned that while all of us would be hugely affected, some of the greatest impact would be felt by people with disabilities, who were already facing inequality and discrimination in accessing their human rights to health care, education, employment and participation in society.

While people all over Ireland have had many challenges over the past 12 months, it has been inspiring to see that so many of you have still made time to fight against injustice and call for the rights of people with disabilities worldwide to be upheld. Our Equal World campaign supporters used their voices in 2020 to call for a disability-inclusive response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and it made a positive difference.

Here are a few of the highlights from a year of campaigning during a global crisis:

COVID-19 disability rights petition and video

Irish campaigners joined other supporters from around the world to call on the UN and its member states to make sure people with disabilities would not be deprioritised or left behind in the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The more than 4,000 signatures gathered in Ireland contributed to our worldwide total of 25,276 people who signed the petition.

Sightsavers staff, including Sightsavers Ireland’s own Ciara Smullen, also created a video calling for a disability-inclusive pandemic response – watch the video here:

Senegal political participation

We shared the story of three women from Senegal (filmed before the pandemic) who are advocates for women with disabilities to take part in political processes. Issa, Khady and Awa are involved with our Irish Aid funded political participation programme, and they highlight why political engagement for women with disabilities is so crucial in making sure that all voices are heard at national levels of decision-making.

UN disability committee election

Equal World campaign supporters in Ireland also took action to achieve gender parity on the UN disability committee for the first time! 57 of you sent a total of 286 messages to TDs, asking them to ensure Ireland’s representatives at the UN would vote for diversity and gender equality on the committee. This, along with 3634 messages sent from other campaigners around the world, helped contribute to the election of seven women to the committee.

The messages sent by Irish supporters showed our leaders the widespread support for a diverse UN disability committee. In response to this, parliamentary questions were asked by four TDs in November and December, requesting responses on the upcoming committee vote and whether Ireland would be supporting the call for diversity and gender equality.

It’s been a huge year for disability rights campaigning, and I couldn’t be prouder of how Irish campaign supporters have raised their voices to call for an end to disability discrimination and inequality. We know there will be further challenges to tackle in 2021 to make sure the rights of people with disabilities are met, and with your help, we’ll keep working towards a more equal world.

Author

Jeni Flynn

Jeni is Sightsavers’ public engagement and communications officer, based in Dublin.
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