World Autism Awareness Day
– As prepared for delivery –
Statement by H.E. Mr. Mahmoud Saikal, Permanent Representative Of The Islamic Republic Of Afghanistan to The United Nations and Vice President Of the General Assembly, on Behalf of H.E. Mr. MIROSLAV LAJČÁK, President of the 72nd Session of The UN General Assembly, at World Autism Awareness Day
I regret not being able to be with you today because of official travel commitments. Let me congratulate the Department for Public Information and all other partners who have joined together to organise this event.
This year marks the tenth since the General Assembly declared April 2 as World Autism Awareness Day. It is an opportune moment to take stock of our approach to autism – both the challenges and the progress made. I welcome your focus on empowering women and girls with autism.
Let me give you two messages today:
The first is that we need to fight stigma and promote inclusion. 1 in 160 children are on the autism spectrum. Stigma and discrimination often shut them out from enjoying their human rights and achieving their potential. Events like this help to give a voice to those who may otherwise be left behind.
This is a time to raise awareness about the challenges people with autism face. But also, to speak about their contributions and successes. The power of new media technologies enables us to tell positive stories far and wide. Like of Eileen Parker founder of Cozy Calm which sells weighted blankets; or of Chris Tidmarsh, who runs his own successful commercial greenhouse business; Dr. Temple Grandin and so many more.
These stories not only break stigma; they provide hope to many, including parents, who may falsely believe that an autism diagnosis can have no positive outcome.
Second, we must do more to empower women and girls with disabilities. Data tells us that women and girls with disabilities number more than 700 million. They face multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination. Limited access to education, healthcare and participation in public and political life; Heightened vulnerability to sexual abuse, violence and exploitation; and grave inequalities in employment opportunities.
Last December, the General Assembly recognised these challenges. We adopted a resolution calling on states to do more to protect the rights of women and girls with disabilities – to empower them.
But we must translate those words into action.
Let us press for more early intervention. We know this has significant benefits for inclusion and empowerment. And it is also one of the most cost-effective methods.
For instance, some companies offer job training programs to help train individuals with autism in the workplace. This is a best practice to replicate around the world.
As we work to achieve the SDGs by 2030, persons with disabilities should receive focused attention to ensure their inclusion. We will not achieve the SDGs unless we do so.
Indeed, when we ‘Light it Up Blue!’ we mean the SDGs too. This is a reminder that we must leave no one behind.
World Autism Awareness Day is a platform to raise public awareness about autism. But beyond this, it should spur us into action. Let us raise our voices and improve our policies for every woman and girl affected by autism. Let us reject discrimination, stigma and injustice. And instead, let us embrace empowerment, dignity and humanity – for all people affected by autism.