Inclusive Development Hub

A pleasure to be at an insightful guest lecture by @mkabir2011 on “South-South Cooperation in an Increasingly Fragmented World.” The session was hosted by the @JCGS_JSIA in collaboration with the Global South Research Foundation and the Africa Dialogue @JindalGlobalUNI @UNOSSC

Rethinking Safety and Inclusion on Campus: Very pleased to join the panel and speak at the #Academic Dialogue Series: Rethinking Safety and Inclusion on Campus organized by the Office of Institutional Equity, the American University in #Cairo on 14th April 2026 This first session, “Campus Safety and Inclusion for People with #Disabilities” focused on the experiences of people with disabilities in relation to discrimination and harassment on university campuses. The aim was to raise awareness among educators, policymakers, practitioners, and students, while also highlighting the importance of integrating disability perspectives into broader conversations on gender equality and campus safety.  @UN_Women is very pleased to join the critical discourse, to build bridges among state, society and academic campuses across the regions. We must review existing disability services, accessibility features and options, along with coordination across campus based institutions. An Intersectional Approach to Safety and Security informed by #accessibilityaudit and #InclusiveSafety and Security services must be secured. These efforts are part of a broader commitment to creating a supportive and accessible environment for all students, regardless of their disabilities. Let us not forget female students with disabilities face additional challenges of both #stigma and #discrimination along with #sexual harassment. They must be afforded timely prevention and protection services. @SSTCUNW We must do more than awareness raising. Time to act is NOW.

My Take: Exploring disability inclusive strategies for ending gender-based violence #GBV | CBM Global ⁦@UN_Women⁩ ⁦@cbmWorldwide⁩ cbm-global.org/blog/exploring…

I am pleased to announce the publication of my latest book, "Gender, Power and Economic Inequality in the Global South" (Routledge, 2026), co-edited with Prof. Hebatallah Adam. @mkabir2011

My 2 cents at the @UN_GDF organized side event at #CSW70: Globally, women represent up to 80% of caregivers for persons with #disabilities and the elderly, with an increase to 90% in low and middle-income counties. In terms of poverty, it is predicted that as a result of engagement in unpaid caregiving responsibilities, women miss out on up to $10.8 trillion annually. We must do more to ensure voice of women with disabilities in care support work and beyond.  @un_women

#justice must be accessible and work for all. By combining legal reform, accessible systems, survivor-centered services, and strong partnerships with civil society, we can help ensure that no woman or girl with a disability is denied justice because the system was not built for her. I must say this is not just a #CentralAsian issue but a global failure as well mandated to address. @UN_CSW #csw70

A pleasure to speak to the #CSW70 side event (17 March 2026) by @equalitynow on ‘Ensuring Justice for Women and Girls with Disabilities Survivors of Sexual Violence in Central Asia m’ where I explored, among others, legal and procedural changes needed to guarantee access to Justice. Ultimately, access to justice for women and girls with disabilities is not only a legal issue – it is about dignity, autonomy and equal citizenship. By combining legal reform, accessible systems, survivor-centered services, and strong partnerships with civil society, we can help ensure that no woman or girl with a disability is denied justice because the system was not built for her. I must say this is not just a #CentralAsian issue but a global failure as well mandated to address, @UN_Women is fully committed to walking this path with you, ensuring that the voices of women and girls with disabilities are not just heard in this room, but are the driving force behind our collective action for justice. Thanks #Finland and partners from #Kazakhstan, #Kyrgyzstan, and #Uzbekistan for this timely discussion.

Women are disproportionately affected by blindness and visual impairment, accounting for nearly two-thirds of all visually impaired people worldwide. Ending avoidable blindness is one of the smartest investments we can make. On the sideline of the #FoV meeting, a brief but effective meeting with @rosspiper4 of @FredHollows to highlight the importance of gendered approach to visual impairment. @un_women

This is what you call focusing on strategic discourse: a productive discussion with ASEAN Disability Forum leadership @ADFSecretariat on often ignored but critical operational issues. How can #AsiaPacific as a diverse region do more with more for accessibility and inclusion. This applies to other regions too. A discussion on the sideline of the @UN_CSW #CSW #CSW70 to enhance operational response of both #UNCTs and member states so that women’s livelihood is not lost for UN processes and validation exercises. #Reasonableaccommodation, appropriate funding must be accompanied the equal pay entitlements of all women with disabilities. Can #UNDCO look into this urgently? @UN

Policy Brief Launch: UNLOCKING HER Potential It was a real pleasure yesterday that we launched our long-waited policy brief, jointly with ATscale, the Global Partnership for Assistive Technology and UN Women, titled 'Unlocking HER Potential: Gender equality through equitable access to assistive technology' at a high-level side event in #NewYork during #CSW70 @UN_CSW It is my privilege to present the key findings of the joint policy brief: This brief begins from a simple premise: assistive technology is not a niche, specialized service. Access to assistive technology enables the full enjoyment of human rights and is a critical precondition for achieving gender equality and empowerment of all women and girls, promoting equal opportunities and participation in society. We adopted a lfe-cycle approach! In case you missed it, you can watch the session on UNTV. It featured high-level interventions and insightful dialogue from: Jorge Moreira da Silva, Executive Director of United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) Michelle O'Byrne, Australia’s Ambassador for Gender Equality. Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda, ASG/Deputy Executive Director, UN Women. A.H. Monjurul KABIR, Ph.D, LL.M, UN Women Abdul Khalique Shaikh, Secretary of the Ministry of Human Rights, Pakistan Rosario Galarza Meza, International Disability Alliance Maryangel Garcia-Ramos Guadiana Women Enabled International Rylin Rodgers, Microsoft Accessibility Karen Reyes, MD MPH, the Global Partnership for Assistive Technology. We extend our thanks to @UNOPS, @UN_Women [both HQ and Country teams in #Pakistan #Georgia #Ukraine &#Palestine , Government of #Australia, Government of #Pakistan and the International Disability Alliance #IDA for their support.

Thoughts on #IWD2026 Gender equality is not a female issue, it's a social and economic imperative. It's vital that we include men in this equation. International Women's Day, March 8, is a global call for men to move beyond passive recognition and actively act as allies to advance gender equality. Key roles for men include, among others, advocating for equal pay/policies, challenging sexist behavior, and sharing household responsibilities. Let us walk the talk.#IWD26 #IWD

I am pleased to announce the publication of my latest book, "Gender, Power and Economic Inequality in the Global South" (Routledge, 2026), co-edited with Prof. Hebatallah Adam. @AcademicMind In this volume, I also authored Chapter 14, “Engendering South-South and Triangular Cooperation: Going beyond an Institutional Approach” which examines how gender responsive and intersectional approaches can advance more effective South-South and Triangular Cooperation across the global South and beyond, highlighting both systemic barriers and operational strategies for inclusive development. The volume brings together interdisciplinary research on how gendered power relations intersect with economic inequalities in the Global South, offering insights relevant to scholars, policymakers, and development practitioners. 🔗 Book available from Taylor & Francis: lnkd.in/dzZyywyb Thank you to all contributors. I welcome feedback and substantive engagements from those working in related discourses. #NewPublication #Book #Routledge #SSTC #SSC #SouthSouthCooperation #SouthSouthAndTraingularCoopertaion #GenderAndEconomics #GenderStudies #PoliticalEconomy #EconomicInequality #GlobalSouth #Intersectionality #SustainableDevelopment #AcademicPublishing #SDGs #LNOB

I am pleased to announce the publication of my latest book, "Gender, Power and Economic Inequality in the Global South" (Routledge, 2026), co-edited with Prof. Hebatallah Adam. @AcademicMind In this volume, I also authored Chapter 14, “Engendering South-South and Triangular Cooperation: Going beyond an Institutional Approach” which examines how gender responsive and intersectional approaches can advance more effective South-South and Triangular Cooperation across the global South and beyond, highlighting both systemic barriers and operational strategies for inclusive development. The volume brings together interdisciplinary research on how gendered power relations intersect with economic inequalities in the Global South, offering insights relevant to scholars, policymakers, and development practitioners. 🔗 Book available from Taylor & Francis: lnkd.in/dzZyywyb Thank you to all contributors. I welcome feedback and substantive engagements from those working in related discourses. #NewPublication #Book #Routledge #SSTC #SSC #SouthSouthCooperation #SouthSouthAndTraingularCoopertaion #GenderAndEconomics #GenderStudies #PoliticalEconomy #EconomicInequality #GlobalSouth #Intersectionality #SustainableDevelopment #AcademicPublishing #SDGs #LNOB

Female genital mutilation violates the universal human rights to life, health, and bodily integrity and causes lasting harm to over 230 million women and girls worldwide. It is rooted in the same gender bias that restricts girls’ access to education, narrows women’s opportunities for employment, and limits their participation in public life. On this International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation, let us renew our promise to protect the rights of women and girls everywhere and ensure that they can live free from violence and fear. Together, we can end this injustice once and for all. #EndFGM #ZeroTolerance #Invest2EndFGM #ForEveryChild @UNFPA

Today - Sunday is #WorldBrailleDay, an opportunity to celebrate the power of Braille in transforming lives, both women’s and men’s. Braille empowers blind & partially-sighted people to fully realize their #humanrights, offering access to education, employment & independence. For women, it is at the heart of both dignity, empowerment and participation.

Will 2026 be the year for Intersectional Solutions? A real pleasure to moderate earlier this month, the United Nations Commemoration of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities #IDPD under the theme “Fostering disability-inclusive societies for advancing social progress.” This year’s - #IDPD2025 observance builds directly on the momentum of the Second World Summit for #SocialDevelopment #Doha: 4-6 November 2025), where world leaders reaffirmed their commitment to building a just, inclusive and equitable world. The #Doha Political Declaration reminds the global community that advancing social development is impossible without the full inclusion, participation and leadership of persons with disabilities. Yet, in every region, persons with disabilities including women and gilrs with disabilities, continue to face persistent barriers and stigma: *Higher risks of poverty; *Limited access to decent work and lower wages; *Gaps in social protection, especially for those in the informal sector; *Barriers to autonomy, dignity and agency within care and support systems; *Unequal access to assistive technologies and accessible environments As countries work to accelerate progress on poverty eradication, productive employment, and social inclusion, disability inclusion remains both a precondition and a driver of lasting change. Hence I reinforced, the critical areas for enhancing disability inclusion to advance progress in the three core themes of social development, include: community based services and support as a lever of social integration; the role of assistive technologies in expanding access to employment; the benefits of awareness-raising and eliminating discrimination to create inclusive, gender responsive societies; social protection as a poverty-reduction tool and driver of social inclusion; and, accessibility as an enabler of meaningful participation of persons with disabilities in decision-making processes. Intersectional challenges need Intersectional Solutions. #AllMeansAll #NothingAboutUsWithoutUs #SDGs #LNOB #Intersectionality

Very pleased to join partners and speak at the global and cross-regional webinar, on “Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence: A Growing Threat for Women and Girls with Disabilities". The critical discourse was held in observance of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities #IDPD2025 along with the #16DaysofActivism jointly organized by Global Forum on the Leadership of Women with Disabilities @global_fwwd and #WID with UN Women and other partners. #16DaysofActivism As digital spaces continue to expand, women and girls with disabilities face heightened risks of technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV), including online harassment, stalking, cyberbullying, image-based abuse, and other forms of digital harm. We must do more to raise awareness, share promising practices, leverage South-South Cooperation #SSC, and strengthen collective action to ensure safe, accessible, and empowering online environments for #women with #disabilities. I also could not emphasize more the growing need for widening access to justice, dedicated allocation of resources, and, active engagement of political parties, parliament, municipal governments, local government entities/councils and, different organisations. Currently such joined-up collaboration is unfortunately not happening. World Institute on Disability @UN_Women @UNFPA @UNITAR #CIFAL #GenderEquality #DisabilityInclusion#Humanrights #RuleofLaw #Justice

On #HumanRightsDay #HRD2025, let's talk about something concrete and functional. #HumanRightsForAll UN Women commissioned this guidance to support the inclusion of the perspectives of persons with disabilities throughout the UN Women evaluation cycle. The guide comprises: - an introduction, outlining its relevance to UN Women’s mandate, - its purpose and intended audiences, and key considerations for using the guide;  - an illustrative summary and accountability framework for the whole evaluation process; and  - guidance on #disabilityinclusion by #evaluation stages. Developmental indicators are suggested for each stage of the evaluation process to motivate progress but are not part of the official accountability framework. Tools, resources, and good practices are also identified and referenced. Let us walk the talk. #allmeansall @UN_Women @UNWomen @UNHumanRights

Pleased to join the excellent collaboration for The Lancet Global Health: the latest correspondence tackles a critical gap: how do we measure intersectional violence against women with disabilities? We spotlight the Women with Disabilities Stigma Inventory (WDSI) — a tool we co-developed with women with disabilities, OPDs and UN partners in #Moldova, #Pakistan, #Palestine, and #Samoa — designed to capture stigma and violence experiences that often go unseen and uncounted. @AcademicMind @mkabir2011 @UN_Women @UNDP Addressing violence against women with disabilities: shift to action - The Lancet Global Health thelancet.com/journals/langl…

This week on #InternationalDayOfCareAndSupport we call for recognition that under the #CRPD and #CEDAW, support is a right grounded in autonomy, independence, choice & inclusion. Persons with disabilities including #women and girls with disabilities are rights-holders, care and support recipients, and providers.  In our joint consultation with partners  on #UNDay, 24 October, we also discussed together with @UNHumanRights unpaid care burden for mothers and fathers as well for the children with disabilities. With the Inter-American Court affirming a right to care, @UNWomen is joining #IDA and calls for: 👉OPD-led community support systems transformation & 👉faster deinstitutionalisation worldwide. Let’s walk the talk. Let's go beyond recognition of  care and support as key to equality and dignity for all. #InternationalDayOfCareAndSupport #CRPD #CEDAW #humanrights #DisabilityRights #OPDLeadership #Autonomy #CommunityBasedSupport #DecentWork #SelfCare #Deinstitutionalisation @UNHumanRights