Sightsavers India’s collaborative policy recommendations recognised in G20 New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration

 In collaboration with the C20 India Working Group and Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Sightsavers India proudly announces the recognition of two significant policy recommendations in the G20 New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration.

Sightsavers India organised three policy consultations in Bhopal (April 11th), Ranchi (April 12th), and Bhubaneswar (April 21st) to deliberate and address critical issues related to gender equality and disability. These events were very well attended, including several distinguished guests and expert speakers. They brought together many representatives from CSOs working in disability, leaders from Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) and gender equality from far and wide.

The recommendations from these consultations encompassed crucial topics such as disability disaggregated data, adaptive social protection measures for Persons with Disabilities, STEM education for children with disabilities, employment, entrepreneurship opportunities, livelihood enhancement for women with disabilities, and the mainstreaming of gender, disability and its intersectionality. These policy recommendations were instrumental in forming the policy recommendations that were presented and voted on at the Bhubaneswar Gender Equality & Disability Working Group Summit held on the 22nd  and 23rd of April, 2023.

These recommendations and Sightsavers India’s efforts were also recognised in the final report of the C20 Working Group on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment.

Acknowledging these accomplishments, RN Mohanty, CEO of Sightsavers India, said, “We are thrilled and deeply honoured to have our collaborative efforts with the C20 India Working Group and Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham recognised in the G20 New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration. Our commitment to addressing critical issues related to gender equality and disability has culminated in two vital policy recommendations that hold the potential to transform lives. These recommendations underscore the importance of inclusive, equitable, and accessible opportunities for all, including people with disabilities, in education, employment, and social protection. We remain steadfast in our mission to promote the well-being of individuals with disabilities. Together, we can build a more inclusive and equitable world for everyone.”

As a result of these impactful policy consultations, two policy recommendations were recognised in the G20 New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration:

The two unanimous policy recommendations in the G20 New Delhi Leaders’s Declaration stand as follows:

• Ensure equal access to affordable, inclusive, equitable, safe and quality education from early childhood through higher education to lifelong learning and support the greater enrolment, participation and leadership of all women and girls, including those with disabilities, in STEM fields and in emerging digital technologies.
• We commit to addressing skill gaps, promoting decent work and ensuring inclusive social protection policies for all. Towards this aim, we:

Aim to achieve sustainably financed universal social protection coverage and consider the portability of social security benefits through bilateral and multilateral agreements.

These recommendations reflect a commitment to achieving inclusive and equitable policies for all, aligning with the goals of the G20 New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration.