Speech on the occasion of marking the International Day of Persons with Disabilities

December 3, 2021

Daniela Gašparíková, UNDP Resident Representative to Montenegro

Respected Deputy Prime Minister Abazović,

Dear guests,

It is my pleasure to be here today to mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities and reiterate our support to Montenegro in ensuring equal rights for each and every citizen.

Around 10 percent of population in Montenegro is facing some kind of disability. Not rarely, those persons are left behind, with denied opportunities to exercise the rights which touch on every aspect of their life. The overarching theme of the 2021 IDPWD encourages countries to reflect on challenges, barriers and opportunities for person with disabilities in the context of the global pandemic.

To dismantle, often-times invisible structural barriers faced by persons with disability requires understanding the difference between legal equality and real equality. Experience of the C-19 pandemic offers the mirror to all societies around the world – and the picture is not always a nice one. I’m a big believer of achieving excellence through learning from own failures and mistakes – hence, I would like to invite you all to reflect on the results of the litmus test the C-19 subjected Montenegro to regarding the extent to which it delivers on the real equality for persons with disability.

Improving lives of persons with disabilities is significant not only for them, their families and caregivers, but for the whole society. Disregarding their great potential, skills and knowledge would be unwise as we strive to make Montenegro a better and more prosperous place for all.

UNDP is committed to provide support to Montenegro in its continued improvement of its legal, institutional, social and economic framework, built on a human rights-based approach to disability. Bringing a number of positive changes foremost for persons with disabilities, enabling more just access to their rights, is our joint ambition. In this regard, we are thankful for the financial support of the EU which enabled implementation of the Reform of National Disability Determination System interventions.

UNDP is also pleased to provide expert support to the Ministry of Justice, Human and Minority rights in drafting this Strategy for Protection of Persons with Disabilities from Discrimination and Promotion of Equality 2022-2027. I hope that this Strategy, once it is adopted, will significantly contribute to reducing discrimination of persons with disabilities, and inspire actions, responses and solutions that will lead to the real improvements in opportunities and equality for persons with disabilities.

We should never forget that policies affect differently women, and men and that they are not experiencing things in the same way. All the policies related to persons with disabilities have to be seen through gender perspective. On-going 16Days of Activism against violence against women, reminds us that girls and women with disabilities are more likely to face double-discrimination due to gender and disability. They are also more likely to be victims of gender-based violence.  Different risks faced by girls and women and their needsmust be recognized and addressed when designing solutions and actions.

Fundamentals of what needs to be done by Montenegro to ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity are comprehensively expressed in UN Sustainable Development Goals. Disability is referenced in various parts of the SDGs, specifically in parts related to education, growth, employment, and inequality. If we imagine the world in 2030, fully inclusive of persons with disabilities, it is clear that there is still a long way ahead of us.

UNDP will continue to support these efforts of the country, always adhering to the principle – Nothing for persons with disabilities, without persons with disabilities.

However, this is not a one-person job. Public administration, together with NGOs and with great support of private sector have an opportunity to accelerate the change and make everyone equal and start from the same frontline. When I look at this room, I see diversity and excellence. If we join hands, we can create force for good to drive positive changes in the society that will leave no one behind.

Thank you for your attention.