WSIS&SDG TalkX event on International Day of Persons with Disabilities
Permanent Mission of Panama to the United Nations, New York; International Telecommunication Union (ITU); World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) ; United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA)
Session 113
Changing the “Face “of Tech Leadership: Celebrating Women with Disabilities who are Leading the Way in Technology and Innovation
Background
The 2023 International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) theme, "United in action to rescue and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for, with and by persons with disabilities," underscores the need for collaborative efforts to ensure sustainable development for individuals with disabilities and that they are part of the solutions including at the design stage. In line with this theme, there is a growing recognition of the significance of promoting the participation and leadership of persons with disabilities in shaping the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Access to education, knowledge and information including through accessible formats is also an imperative to facilitate the participation of women, men and young people in the development of solutions that will help shape an inclusive and sustainable future for all.
Event Overview
To mark the 2023 International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD), the Permanent Mission of Panama to the United Nations in New York, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and partners are organizing a session that will spotlight the achievements and initiatives of women with disabilities in the tech sector, and spotlight legal and technological solutions that contribute to the creation of an enabling environment for women and men to participate in the creativity and STI sector. This session will serve as a platform to showcase existing initiatives that facilitate the career advancement of women with disabilities in innovation and technology, celebrate accomplishments including those of women entrepreneurs with disabilities, and discuss actions/practices needed to further support persons with disabilities in the creativity and STI sphere.
The event will also look bring a gender perspective to the theme. Despite the substantial growth in innovation and technology, the representation of women, particularly those with disabilities, in leadership positions remains inadequate. This event seeks to highlight the significant contributions of women with disabilities in various roles within the sector and to promote their visibility and influence. By doing so, it aims to challenge stereotypes, foster inclusivity, and create equal opportunities while also giving women the platform to share their perspectives on what it will take to accelerate transformation.
The session will encourage collective action to ensure that innovation and technology become more inclusive and accessible. By promoting diversity and inclusivity, we aim to drive progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and creating a more equitable and prosperous future for all.
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C3. Access to information and knowledge
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C6. Enabling environment
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C8. Cultural diversity and identity, linguistic diversity and local content
This event is also held as part of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) TalkX series and is closely linked to the WSIS Action Lines – where accessibility is a cross-cutting topic – and the Sustainable Development Goals.
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Goal 4: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
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Goal 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
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Goal 8: Promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for all
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Goal 9: Build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialization and foster innovation
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Goal 16: Promote just, peaceful and inclusive societies
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Goal 17: Revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development
About SDG and IATT
The Sustainable Development Goals are a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity. There are 17 interconnected goals and ICT has a vital role to play in achieving each of them. This event supports SDG 5 (gender parity), SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), and SDG 17 (Partnerships and the means of implementation). The UN interagency task team on STI for the SDGs (IATT)is mandated to “promote coordination, coherence, and cooperation within the UN System on STI related matters, enhancing synergy and efficiency, in particular to enhance capacity-building initiatives”. The IATT has ten work streams covering different approaches on STI for the SDGs. This event supports workstream five: Gender and STI co-led by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
