Unedited CART Transcript of the Panel Discussion .doc

UNEDITED CART TRANSCRIPT Disclaimer: This transcription provides a meaning-for-meaning summary to facilitate communication access. It is the ultimate responsibility of the client to verify the accuracy of the information provided. Thank you. Panel Discussion on Preventing and Ending Violence against Women with Disabilities Tuesday, 23 October 2012, UN Headquarters Ms. Shamshad Akhtar: It is my pleasure to welcome you all on preventing and ending violence against women with disabilities and this panel discussion. Distinguished panelists, representatives from the government, colleagues and friends, it is a pleasure to be here. I would like to thank and recognize the Permanent Missions representatives of Armenia and the Philippines for sponsoring this event. I would also like to thank our co-sponsors, UN Women, Women Enabled, Womens UN Report Network, and the U.S. Federation for Middle East Peace in helping us organize this panel. We focus today on critical issues of preventing and ending violence against women with disabilities. Our panelists include distinguished representatives of UN member states, UN colleagues, the Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women and some civil society experts. They will focus on providing an overview of the nature, scope, causes, and consequences of violence against women with disabilities. They will explore a range of actions. Our panel takes place in the context of opportunities to address the issue of violence against women with disabilities. In September of 2013, the General Assembly High-level Meeting on Disability and Development will convene a high-level meeting with an overarching theme with a disability inclusive development agenda towards 2015 and beyond. This meeting presents a significant opportunity to ensure that the voices and concerns of women and girls with disabilities, including in relation to violence against women, are fully taken into account in preparation for post 2015 de