The BRICS block of nations wants to address the longstanding exclusion of disability-related issues in the bloc.
Member state South Africa has proposed a BRICS Disability Forum, which will tackle disability inclusion and empowering Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) within the BRICS agenda.
The proposal emphasises the lack of attention to disability issues in high-level BRICS discussions despite their direct impact on women’s lives.
Challenges facing PWDs globally, including economic, social, and structural barriers, have prompted the call for urgent action within the BRICS nations.
The proposed forum seeks to become a platform for comprehensive collaboration to mainstream disability inclusion and create empowering opportunities for PWDs.
The rationale behind the initiative lies in the fundamental belief that empowering PWDs is essential for sustainable development, aligning with the goals outlined in Sustainable Development Goals 5 for gender equality.
The BRICS Disability Forum is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping policies and programs that address the needs and rights of PWDs at both national and global levels.
Addressing the lack of deliberation on gender equality and women’s empowerment within BRICS, the proposal underscores the urgency of eliminating stigma, discrimination, and exclusion faced by PWDs.
The initiative seeks to position the BRICS Disability Forum as a catalyst for change, pushing for mainstreaming disability inclusiveness across BRICS policies and programs.
The proposed priority areas for collaboration within the forum encompass disability and governance, poverty eradication, gender-based violence elimination, inclusive economies, and health and education, among others.
These thematic areas reflect the multi-faceted approach required to address the challenges faced by PWDs in BRICS nations.
Establishing a core Group/Working Group comprised of Senior Officials and Experts from all five BRICS countries, is suggested as a crucial step in operationalising the forum.
