CBM Christian Blind Mission’s Post

Did you know that according to the last FRA LGBTI study, 51% of #lesbian women in Europe avoid holding hands in public? This #LesbianVisibilityDay let’s resolve to vote for candidates in the EU elections who are committed to protecting and advancing lesbian freedom and human rights. Find candidates in your country here 👉 comeout.eu

✍️ "#EuropeanElections: a call for #accessibility." How could we best promote blind and partially sighted people's participation in political and public life as enshrined by article 29 of the UNCRPD? Vilmantas Balčikonis, the Vice-President of our Lithuanian Member, reflects on what measures need to be implemented so #VisuallyImpaired persons can exercise their right to vote and run for office at Social Europe Publishing & Consulting GmbH: https://lnkd.in/ee2kMqRG European Disability Forum EASPD - European Association of Service providers for Persons with Disabilities World Blind Union International Disability Alliance European Commission Social Platform European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights European Economic and Social Committee European Network on Independent Living European People's Party Socialists and Democrats Group in the European Parliament The Greens/EFA in the European Parliament Renew Europe Election-Watch.EU European Parliament

🔔 Today Director Carlien Scheele presents the agency’s toolkit for gender sensitive parliaments to the Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in Paris.   ⚖️ Gender-sensitive parliaments promote the full participation of #women from #representation to decision making – without any structural barriers getting in the way. 🗳 In a year that is set to shape the future of Europe with the European Parliamentary elections, this matters now more than ever. Find out more in the link below 👇 #GenderEquality #EUelections2024

🗳 How do we ensure we elect more women, more minority ethnic people, more disabled people & more LGBTI people? Political parties have a unique role in achieving greater diversity in our elected representation, but so much about elections is already decided long before polling day. Parties largely have control over who makes it onto the ballot, with many decisions ahead of election day shaping the outcome before any votes have been cast. Across our councils & parliaments, the underrepresentation of marginalised groups is rife, & with elections in 2026 and 2027, now is the time for parties to review how aspiring candidates gain approval to stand if we're to see more diversity on the ballot. We've launched a new chapter of the #EqualRepresentationInPolitics Toolkit focused on candidate assessment, with guidance on how to run an inclusive & accessible assessment approach that enables people from a wider range of backgrounds to succeed. Head to our blog via the link below to find out more about the new chapter & how your party can use the Toolkit to help build more equal politics in Scotland: https://lnkd.in/gtTurrEf

🗳️ Did you know? In Mozambique 🇲🇿, data from the National Institute of Statistics (INE) indicates that 2.6% of the population are people with disabilities. Like all citizens, they have the right to vote and be elected. To empower their voices in the 2024 General Elections, the UNDP Democracy and Elections Project, in partnership with TV Surdo, has launched a TV Spot aimed at promoting the participation of Persons with Disabilities (PWD). This initiative is part of a broader voter and civic education campaign to ensure that every voter, including marginalized groups, is heard and engaged in the democratic process. #InclusionMatters #Elections2024 #DisabilityRights #Democracy

🗳️ Will I be able to vote in the upcoming European Parliament elections? 🗳️ As part of our "The Future is Ours" project, we have been working to ensure that people with Down Syndrome are prepared and informed for the EU elections in 2024. VISIT OUR WEBSITE TO FIND OUT MORE ➡ https://lnkd.in/gvgRXTAy Voting is a fundamental right, but in the European Union, the rules about who can vote vary by country. While this June marks the first time that many people with Down Syndrome will be able to participate in an EU election, there are still difficulties regarding voting rights in many other countries. For example people with intellectual disabilities might need a guardian to help them navigate the voting booth. However, in seven EU countries (Bulgaria, Denmark, Estonia, Hungary, Lithuania, Portugal, and Slovenia) there's a significant issue: only one person is allowed in the voting booth, which can make it difficult or even impossible for people with intellectual disabilities to receive the assistance they need. The European Union has expressed a commitment to ensuring that everyone can vote, but these rules need to be addressed to make this a reality. Accessible voting is essential for true democratic participation, and we must advocate for changes that allow everyone to have their say in the elections. Let's advocate for accessible voting for all! 🗳️✊ #EuropeanUnion #DownSyndrome #DisabilityRights #Inclusion #Advocacy #TheFutureIsOurs #Awareness #Support #Community #Vote #EUforTrisomy21 #Equality #HumanRights #Accessibility #Empowerment #Health #Education

🗳 We spoke to trans and intersex leaders from around the world to get global perspectives on the importance of the EU Elections for trans people and our allies 🗳 💬  CHITSANUPONG NITHIWANA (she/her), Executive Board Member of ILGA World (Co-Chair of ILGA Asia) said: "The power of representation has a profound impact on our lives and community. 💬  In the upcoming EU elections, every vote cast by a transgender and gender-diverse individual is a declaration of our presence, our rights to access healthcare and services, and our protection from discrimination. 💬 By voting, we also are paving the way for future generations of LGBTIQ+ individuals to live more openly, safely and respected." 🇪🇺🏳️⚧️The crucial vote is just a few days away. #UseYourVote in the European Elections. 🗳 6-9 June 2024, take the opportunity to shape the future of European democracy. These elections are a unique moment. They’re the world's largest transnational elections, where we can collectively influence the direction of the European Union. 🏳️⚧️ Ensure trans voices and concerns are heard in Europe 🏳️⚧️ Vote to combat and prevent harmful laws 🏳️⚧️ Decide who makes the laws that impact your rights 🌈 Spread these messages with friends and allies ❔Find out what European elections are and how to vote in the easy-to-read guide: https://lnkd.in/e9z5gxSQ #UseYourVote #EUelections2024 #EU2024

Billions will vote this year – #LGBTIQ+ people must not be excluded. In this joint op-ed, Ulrika Modeer and Christophe Schiltz, Director for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Action at Luxembourg MFA reflect on the importance of building #inclusive and equitable societies. In its publication ‘Inclusive Democracies: A guide to strengthening the participation of LGBTI+ persons in political and electoral processes,’ UNDP provides policymakers, electoral management bodies, legislators, civil society and other stakeholders a clear set of tools to work towards a more equal exercise of civic and political rights, freedom of expression and association, and access to public services. #IDAHOBIT

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Navigating the Crossroads of Polarization in Political Campaigns With Values-Based Strategies The European Parliament elections are only months away. Therefore, there is an urgent need to understand why voters make the choices they do. But, how can political parties bridge divides and reconnect across the social spectrum? Understanding the deeper values and motivations of diverse societal segments that shape the electorate is where it all begins. With Glocalities' values based segmentation model, we can better understand voter behaviour. Each voter segment does not only have a unique worldview, but also distinct concerns, which affect their voting behavior as well. For instance: 1. Challengers and Achievers are especially concerned by economic growth. 2. Creatives are especially concerned about the climate (other than the previously mentioned human rights agenda). 3. Conservatives and Socializers are relatively more concerned about crime and immigration. To learn more see https://lnkd.in/eg57g-GP #marketresearch #values