The Conference of State Parties CRPD COSP19 official side event was youth with disabilities led and organized by Include Me TOO, Commonwealth Children and Youth Disability Network (CCYDN), the Commonwealth Secretariat and Global Network of Young Persons with Disabilities, in partnership with UNICEF and UNFPA.
The event highlighted the necessity for a shift in paradigm towards a human rights approach which is inclusive of children’s and young people’s rights, through a third track approach to CRPD implementation, targeted action. monitoring, reporting and accountability.
During the event Include Me TOO and the Commonwealth Children and Youth Disability Network (CCYDN) presented initial findings of a report that they are producing in regards to the Commonwealth regions application of the rights of children and young people with disabilities according to United Nations CRPD and CRC observations. Key areas were highlighted where targeted action and commitment is needed as COSP19 focused on shaping the next phase of implementation in a changing world and the effect on the lives and futures of children and young people with disabilities.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities providing an opportunity to reflect how transformative the last two decades have been; in making a difference to the global disability rights of children and young people with disabilities.
While the CRPD has achieved near-universal ratification of 192 countries there remains significant gaps in implementation and reporting of children and young people with disabilities rights, inclusion and their recognition as rightsholders. Though legislation has changed the gaps between policy and practice at local levels and the realisation of rights protected under both CRPD and CRC on the day to day lives of children and young people with disabilities remain limited. Disparities within systems and structures, gaps of legal commitments, lack of accountability and lack of political will continue to be obstructive to the full potential and impact of CRPD.
The side event presentations included:
- Sharing good practice and achievements of CRPD implementation in relation to children and young with disabilities.
- Advocating children and young people with disabilities are not left further behind in the next decade of CRPD implementation in a changing world.
- Advocating for the mainstreaming of children rights approach to ensure children and young people with disabilities perspectives and priorities are integrated into the broader agendas.
- The necessity of improving the participation and representation of children and young people with disabilities which is inclusive, safe and meaningful in developing policies and influencing decision making which impact their futures.
- Safeguarding children and young people with disabilities from all forms of exploitation, violence and abuse.
- Focused Action and commitment – Removing the barriers to children and young people with disabilities meaningful participation, representation, civic engagement, leadership and advocacy in political and public life.
Spaces are often not given. They are taken and they have to be claimed. And as young people with disabilities, you have to claim that space. As large organisations, there are processes, bureaucracies. But you’ll have to challenge us. Knock on doors, challenge and that has to be persistent.
The success of the CRPD will depend on how effectively young people are able to claim the space, because spaces are not given in our society.
Gopal Mitra
Global Lead on Disability and Development UNICEF
The African story is one of both progress and unfinished business.
Over the past two decades, African countries have strengthened legal frameworks, advanced disability-inclusive policies, improved birth registration systems, expanded educational opportunities, and increased recognition of the rights of children and young people with disabilities. These achievements demonstrate that change is possible when political commitment is matched with action.
Despite progress, implementation remains the defining challenge. Millions of children and young people with disabilities continue to face stigma, exclusion, violence, inaccessible services, weak protection systems, and limited opportunities to participate in decisions affecting their lives. The gap between policy commitments and lived realities remains significant.
Joseph Migiia (Tanzania) CCYDN Africa Regional Youth Representative
As we mark twenty years of the Convention of Rights of Persons with Disability, we must recognise how much has changed, the CRPD has shifted disability from charity to rights, from exclusion to participation, and from utter silence to accountability. But we must also be honest. We have a long way to go. For many children and young persons with disability, the promise of CRPD is still not fully lived in everyday life.
Meaningful participations is not the same as presence, it is not enough to invite us to the room, if the agenda has already been decided, it is enough to ask for our stories. If our recommendations and suggestions are not acted upon, it is not enough to call us future leaders. While excluding us from decisions being made today.
Puneet Singhal (India) Global Network Young People with Disabilities
Over the past twenty years, we have also seen something significant begin to change. The UNCRPD has played a critical role in shifting not only laws and policies, but also expectations, attitudes and possibilities. Through our programmes, partnerships and research in the countries we work in, we have witnessed how the CRPD has helped move disability from being seen as a matter of charity to being recognised as a matter of rights
Annie Chipeta
Network Manager for Able Child Africa Network,
Able Child
Include Me TOO and CCYDN initial insight of the research that has been conducted shines a spotlight on one of the shortcomings in the process that the committees, in this case, the committee on the rights of persons with disabilities and the committee on the rights of the child, don’t sufficiently address that intersection between children, youth and disability
In terms of going forward we’ll use this research findings in our work and with states. It will give the treaty body themselves something to think about as they review their process and strengthen the procedure across the board. Establishing national mechanisms for implementation reporting and follow up and addressing all issues, all the various rights through an intersectional lens
Dr. Justin Petit
Human Rights Advisor
Commonwealth Secretariat