As part of our role as implementing partner with UNPA in a project to improve gender equity, CGDS is holding three focus group discussions during the Sixteen Days of Activism against GBV in order to report the views of vulnerable populations to representatives of the ministries. The first focus group, held on December 1, 2020, consisted of two representatives each from six disability advocacy organizations. We discussed, among other issues, the interaction between people with disabilities and higher education, and the gaps in the law regarding disability rights. The organizations included Autism Blue, the Blind Union of Kurdistan, the Deaf and Dumb Society, the Handicapped Union of Kurdistan, Rozh Society, and the Short Statured People of Kurdistan. Dr. Lynn Rose, CGDS Deputy Director, served as moderator, assisted by the superb consecutive and simultaneous translation of Mr. Jamil Ali. Dr. Choman Hardi, Dr. Twana Abdwlrahman, and Mr. Shakir were also in attendance, as well as CGDS assistants Ms.Tara Burhan and Mr. Hamno Nawzad.
Photo description: A large screen is against a wall, the top part of which is brown wood, and the bottom part of which is a dark blue banner with English and Kurdish writing in white and gold, with the letters AUIS repeated multiple times. The screen’s image is topped with three logos, under which, in large black font, is written Focus Group Discussion. In smaller font is written The Interaction of PWD and Higher Education. Beneath that is Kurdish writing, and underneath that we see 1 December 2020.