Svud Bold: Joining the UN is a dream come true
Suvd Bold grew up with a disability and was always hesitant to speak about it. During her childhood, her left eye had reduced vision due to abnormal visual development called Amblyopia (also referred to as lazy eye). Suvd lives by her motto, ‘Persons with disabilities can do anything.’
Suvd serves as a UN Volunteer Humanitarian Affairs Officer with the UN Resident Coordinator's Office in Mongolia. Her assignment is under the Talent Programme for Persons with Disabilities.
Joining the United Nations was a dream come true for Suvd. “When I was in university, I used to read about the work of the UN and its contribution to development, and this inspired me to become a changemaker one day.”
She has a bachelor's degree in Law from Savitribae Phule Pune University in India, after which, Suvd worked in Mongolia for a few years with the government and also with the Mongolian Bar Association. Later she pursued a master's degree in International Law at the University of Sydney.
Many disabilities cannot be seen right up front, says Suvd, “I always hesitated to say that I was a person with disabilities because some people would not believe me.”
Her motivation comes from her past experiences that stirred her to break the stigma attached to disability. She recalls her experience of using a public bus in Mongolia in 2016 with a government-supported card for persons with disabilities. “When the bus driver noticed that I was using a bus card for persons with disabilities, he shouted at me. I felt humiliated as everyone around started looking at me and I had to explain my health condition throughout the journey.”
However, Suvd notes that the Mongolian Government has made recent progress in supporting persons with disabilities through diverse initiatives that include access to education and housing, support to public transport, medical insurance, and reduction of taxation, among other forms of support. She feels more needs to be done such as disability-friendly infrastructure for people who use wheelchairs, their access to transportation, and to public toilets.
The inclusive environment in her UN Volunteer assignment made her feel at ease and she started talking about her disability without any fear of stigma. The 'Leaving no one behind' approach of the United Nations makes it possible for persons with disabilities to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals.
Suvd’s advice to other young people with disabilities, “Volunteering makes me happy, because I am contributing to society and to the development of Mongolia. Through volunteering with the United Nations, I have lived my dream. I have proven to myself and to the people around me that disability is not a barrier to achievement. I encourage persons with disabilities to seize any opportunity you come across.”
Tapan Mishra, UN Resident Coordinator in Mongolia applauds Svud’s contribution and shares, “We are delighted to host a UN Volunteer and acknowledge that Suvd is not only a committed professional who focuses on her humanitarian role, but she has been an excellent team player and has supported us in important priorities such as the completion and signing of the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for Mongolia. I consider her a UN Volunteer star who brightens other persons with disabilities.”
This article was produced with the kind support of Online Volunteer Abbey Gibson. Find out more on how to volunteer online or engage Online Volunteers.
