Through the principle of “nothing about us without us”. Deaf women and girls should have the
opportunity to comment on their own life situations. We note that deaf women and girls are
under-represented due to their gender, disability, and linguistic minority status. Specific
measures must be implemented to safeguard gender equality, diversity and equal participation
in society and in decision-making processes for all deaf people. We would like to call attention
to a significant barrier with regard to fully understanding the human rights situation of deaf
people in gender-specific ways. There is simply very little data on the lives of deaf people,
especially deaf people in the Global South. With this intervention, the WFD wishes to bring
attention to the need for more research focused on the human rights situation of deaf people,
and of specific populations of deaf people, including deaf women and girls.
And finally, we call on all stakeholders at this 12th Session of the United Nations Forum on
Minority Issues to endorse our Charter and work with us to achieve Sign Language Rights for
All!