Courtney Nemroff
Deputy U.S. Representative to the Economic and Social Council
New York, New York
March 18, 2021
AS DELIVERED
Good morning, and thank you to Poland for organizing today’s event today, which the United States is proud to co-sponsor and co-host.
The United States cares deeply about gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls around the world, including those with disabilities. Women with disabilities around the globe are notably absent from leadership positions, including in key decision-making roles in COVID-19 response and recovery efforts.
Women and girls with disabilities are vastly excluded from decision-making at all levels – we have seen this exacerbated in conflict settings. To this end, the United States was proud to co-sponsor UN Security Council Resolution 2475 and continues working with partners on its implementation, such as by ensuring that persons with disabilities are included across the Security Council’s work. We are proud that the UN Mission in South Sudan mandate renewal, where the U.S. leads in drafting, included language on 2475.
Women with disabilities should be part of mediation and negotiation teams. They should work in and lead UN peacekeeping missions. They should not just be beneficiaries of but run IDP and refugee camps.
I’d like to end by asking the panelists: what can all stakeholders do to better implement Resolution 2475, and ensure that women with disabilities are included in leadership positions and as key decision-makers all stages of conflict?
Thank you.
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