Urgent Action Needed to Include Marginalized Groups for SDG Achievement – New UN Report

Folalumi Alaran in Abuja

International organization Sightsavers, known for advocating for the rights of marginalized groups, issued an urgent call to action, as their latest report cautioned that neglecting the needs of marginalized communities could push the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), perilously close to failure.

In a press statement released by the organization, the Country Director of Sightsavers Dr. Sunday Isiyaku said, “As the world approaches the halfway point of the 2030 deadline, progress on the SDGs has derailed – they are completely off-track. The promise to leave no one behind is in peril.”

Isiyaku further pointed out that, “The UN Secretary-General’s report confirms that people with disabilities bear the brunt of the stagnation in poverty reduction and inequality. Shockingly, globally, up to twice as many people with disabilities live below the poverty line compared to their non-disabled counterparts.”

The impassioned plea reached its crescendo as Dr. Isiyaku implored the government of Nigeria saying, “ We’re calling on all of you to accelerate action on the SDGs and ensure their inclusion for people with disabilities. The Political Declaration and all national commitments made at the Summit must prioritize reaching those who are furthest behind. This is our final opportunity to realign our efforts and get back on track to achieving the Goals.”

“ The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated existing inequalities, disrupted education systems, and placed immense strain on already fragile healthcare infrastructures. Simultaneously, the world grappled with the relentless challenges posed by conflicts and the unfolding climate crisis. Within these turbulent times, people with disabilities, particularly women and girls, bore the disproportionate burden of these adversities.

The Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Persons with Disability Mr. James David Lalu on his part said, “ To usher in sustainable change, achieve the SDGs, and foster a more equitable world, global decision-makers can no longer turn a blind eye to the 16% of the global population who live with disabilities. With less than 100 days remaining until the SDG Summit in September, the time for action is now. Let us rally together to salvage the SDGs and ensure that no one is left behind.”

In the heart of Nigeria’s capital, a fervent plea echoed across the globe, urging leaders to recognize the plight of marginalized groups and embark on a transformative journey towards an equal world. The fate of the Sustainable Development Goals hung in the balance, awaiting the response of those with the power to reshape the future.

The world prepared to gather at the highly anticipated SDG Summit in New York. Here, world leaders would renew their commitments and evaluate progress made towards the ambitious 17 goals designed to reduce poverty and inequality by 2030. The summit’s outcome would be encapsulated in a critical negotiated political declaration.

In the lead-up to this pivotal event, Sightsavers launched their “Equal World” campaign, shedding light on the grim reality that progress on the global goals might falter without adequate attention to marginalized groups, particularly people with disabilities. Their plea was grounded in a new UN report, which unequivocally stated that the SDGs could not be realized unless immediate and decisive action was taken to include those who were frequently “left behind.”