News Hour:
The results of the election of nine new members to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, held in New York on Tuesday 14 June, have been announced. Ghanaian nominee Gertrude Oforiwa Fefoame, who works for Sightsavers as an advocacy advisor, was not appointed. The new Committee, consisting of one woman and 17 men, will advise on issues related to the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).
Gertrude (also known as Getty) has extended her congratulations to the new Committee members. “I’m proud to have been nominated by Ghana for the Committee,” she said. “It has been an important and wonderful learning experience, and I have met outstanding disability advocates who are committed to respect, protect and fulfil the human rights of persons with disabilities.”
“This year,” she continued, “we are celebrating the 10th year anniversary of CRPD. This election showed that much work is still needed to be done for empowered women with disabilities to be recognised as leaders. To ensure the effective implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 5 (relating to women) and article 6 of CRPD (relating to women with disabilities), it’s essential that we enshrine the principle of leaving no one behind.”
