The African Disability Forum (ADF) participated in the NGO Forum preceding the 89th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR), held from 8–10 October 2026 in Dakar, Senegal. The Forum focused on the overarching theme of Water, Sanitation, Climate Justice and Human Rights.
As part of the NGOS Forum, the African Albinism Network (AAN), one of ADF’s 10 Pan-African member organizations, organized a session titled “Invisible in the Climate Crisis: The Impact of Climate Change on the Human Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Including Persons with Albinism, in Africa.”
During the session, Ms. Shitaye Astawes, ADF Director for Advocacy and Communication, spoke on “Disability, Gender and Climate Justice: Building Inclusive Health, Water and Sanitation Systems.”
Her speech highlighted how existing climate change actions, health, water and sanitation systems continue to exclude persons with disabilities, particularly women and girls with disabilities making them vulnerable to health risks, abuse and harassment. She also emphasized the importance of making these essential services accessible and inclusive in practice, ensuring that persons with disabilities are not left behind in climate change actions and responses to climate-related challenges such as early warning mechanisms, mitigation as well adaptation strategies.
Climate justice must be disability-inclusive and gender-responsive. Persons with disabilities, including persons with albinism, must be recognized not only as people affected by the climate crisis but also as active participants in shaping sustainable solutions.
There can be no climate justice without disability inclusion, gender equality and meaningful participation.
#AfricanDisabilityForum #ACHPR89 #ClimateJustice #DisabilityRights #GenderEquality #WaterAndSanitation #PersonsWithAlbinism #HumanRights #DisabilityInclusion
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