The impact of the coronavirus pandemic has been particularly hard on marginalized communities, highlighting existing inequalities. Among these communities are persons affected by leprosy, who often lack access to public welfare schemes. Helping them to overcome the effects of the pandemic requires the support of a variety of different actors.

“Work and Employment Situation of Persons Affected by Leprosy amid the Coronavirus Pandemic and Efforts to Resolve the Challenges They Face” is the theme of a webinar to be jointly hosted by Sasakawa Health Foundation and Disabled Peoples’ International as a side event to the 14th Session of the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).

The webinar shared the current situation of persons affected by leprosy who have lost their livelihoods and are in difficulties as a result of the coronavirus pandemic and explore how they, supporting organizations and governments can collaborate to promote economic self-reliance and ensure that no one is left behind.

Date: June 18, 2021
Time: 8:30 to 9:45 am (EST-New York)
Theme: “Work and Employment Situation of Persons Affected by Leprosy amid the Coronavirus Pandemic and Efforts to Resolve the Challenges They Face.”
Organizers: Sasakawa Health Foundation, Disable Peoples International
Co-sponsors: Government of Japan, Government of Portugal, Government of India, Government of Brazil
Moderator: Mr. Brent Morgan, International Director, The Leprosy Mission International

Program

1. Opening Remarks
Representatives of Permanent Mission of Brazil, India and Portugal
2. Keynote Speech
Ms. Alice Cruz, UN Special Rapporteur on elimination of discrimination against persons affected by leprosy
3. Discussion
・Testimonies from Person affected by leprosy
Mr. Sachin Vasant Kambale, Saksham Kushthantey Swabhimani Sansthan, India
Mr. Francisco Faustino Pinto, Movement for the Reintegration of Persons Affected by Hansen’s Disease, Brazil
・Perspective from the disability sector
Advocate Pankaj Sinha, Member Core Group of Leprosy, Disabled Peoples’ International
・Perspective from supporting organizations
Professor Nanri Takahiro, Executive Director, Sasakawa Health Foundation and Vice Chair, Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy
Mr. Geoff Warne, CEO, International Federation of Anti-Leprosy Associations
4. Q&A
5. Closing Remarks
H.E. Ambassador Mr. KIMURA Tetsuya, Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations