A digital poster from the African Disability Forum (ADF) with a blue and yellow border. The ADF logo is in the top left corner. The main text reads "CONSULTANCY advertisement" in bold black letters, with a megaphone icon to the left. Below, the text says, "Visit our website for more info" followed by the website link africandisabilityforum.org in bold.

Consultancy Advertisement: DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF YOUTH LEADERSHIP PROGRAM

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The African Disability Forum is the continental membership organization of Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) in Africa. ADF currently has members from 44 African countries (National Federations of Organization of Persons with Disabilities), 9 continental OPDs and 4 sub-regional OPDs. ADF is committed to unifying and amplifying the voice of persons with disabilities, their families, and representative organizations at national, regional, and international levels.

ADF is a strategic partner for Light for the World in the We Can Work (WCW) program, which is a signature program to improve access to dignified and fulfilling work for young women and men with disabilities in Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Ghana, Nigeria and Senegal. The We Can Work program will deploy targeted skill-building and entrepreneurship support interventions for young women and men with disabilities to successfully transit into work. We Can Work is instrumental in realizing the ambitions of Mastercard Foundation in relation to Disability Inclusion.

Program Objective aims to empower young women and men with disabilities access dignified and fulfilling work through the three pillars:

  • Pillar 1: Targeted interventions to support young women and men with disabilities into work.
  • Pillar 2: Embedding and institutionalizing disability inclusion into Young Africa Works strategies and programs.
  • Pillar 3: Youth led advocacy toward more inclusive policies and environment. Young women and men with disabilities enact agency by contributing to national and regional advocacy processes to implement youth and disability inclusive policies.

To strengthen and promote leadership capacities for young women and men with disabilities, ADF seeks the services of a consultant to develop a leadership program for youth with disabilities. The assignment entails, development and implementation of leadership training and related support services for a period of 40 days from the month of April 2025 until June 2026.

For more information see the Terms of Reference here. Any interested consultant can submit the proposal according to the attached ToR via the following email: Azrah Shabudien jobs@adf-secretariat.org

Deadline to submit the proposal: Wednesday the 26th March 2025, on or before 5:00 pm East African Time (EAT).

A digital poster from the African Disability Forum (ADF) with a blue and yellow border. The ADF logo is in the top left corner. The main text reads "CONSULTANCY advertisement" in bold black letters, with a megaphone icon to the left. Below, the text says, "Visit our website for more info" followed by the website link africandisabilityforum.org in bold.

Consultancy Advertisement: TRANSLATE YOUTH ADVOCACY WORKBOOK INTO EASY READ

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The African Disability Forum is the continental membership organization of Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) in Africa. ADF currently has members from 44 African countries (National Federations of Organization of Persons with Disabilities), 9 continental OPDs and 4 sub-regional OPDs. ADF is committed to unifying and amplifying the voice of persons with disabilities, their families, and representative organizations at national, regional, and international levels.

ADF is a strategic partner for Light for the World in the We Can Work (WCW) program, which is a signature program to improve access to dignified and fulfilling work for young women and men with disabilities in Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Ghana, Nigeria and Senegal. The We Can Work program will deploy targeted skill-building and entrepreneurship support interventions for young women and men with disabilities to successfully transit into work. We Can Work is instrumental in realizing the ambitions of Mastercard Foundation in relation to Disability Inclusion.

Program Objective aims to empower young women and men with disabilities access dignified and fulfilling work through the three pillars:

  • Pillar 1: Targeted interventions to support young women and men with disabilities into work.
  • Pillar 2: Embedding and institutionalizing disability inclusion into Young Africa Works strategies and programs.
  • Pillar 3: Youth led advocacy toward more inclusive policies and environment. Young women and men with disabilities enact agency by contributing to national and regional advocacy processes to implement youth and disability inclusive policies.

The African Disability Forum, serving as a strategic partner, plays a central role in coordinating the achievement of Pillar 3 and its corresponding outcomes 4 and 5. This partnership enables young women and men with disabilities to actively participate in local, national, and regional advocacy efforts aimed at promoting youth- and disability-inclusive policies. Through Outcome 4, the voices and diverse needs of young women and men are represented within disability, youth, and women’s rights structures, ensuring their perspectives shape key initiatives. Outcome 5 further supports a unified advocacy agenda across local, national, and regional (African) levels, effectively addressing the unique needs of young women and men with disabilities.

Leading on Youth Led Advocacy in the programme, ADF has developed and piloted the Youth Led Advocacy Training programme with a key learning of making accessible the Young Advocates Workbook for persons with intellectual disabilities, down syndrome, autistic, learning disability and low literacy levels. It’s within this context that ADF seeks consultancy services to translate the Youth Led Advocacy Young Advocates’ Workbook into easy read format within March and April 2025. For more information see the Terms of Reference here. Any interested consultant can submit the proposal according to the attached ToR via the following email: Azrah Shabudien jobs@adf-secretariat.org
Deadline to submit the proposal: Friday the 7th March 2025 on or before 5:00 pm East African Time (EAT).

A graphic announcement from the African Union about the adoption of the Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls. The background features a large conference hall filled with delegates. The foreground contains a purple text box with bold yellow and white text stating 'African Union Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls – ADOPTED'. The message describes the convention as a comprehensive continental instrument to prevent and eliminate violence against women and girls. Social media icons and the AU website (au.int) are visible at the bottom.

ADF Welcomes the African Union’s Historic Adoption of the Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls

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African Disability Forum (ADF) recognizes the paramount significance and importance of the African Union’s (AU) adoption of the Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (CEVAWG) in February 2025 and congratulates all involved parties.

Once ratified by African states, CEVAWG will play a crucial role in protecting the human rights of women and girls, including women and girls with disabilities, across the continent.

In the face of multiple forms of violence, abuse, harassment, injustice and inequality, the convention will serve as an essential legal instrument to reinforce national and civil society efforts while also scaling up positive impact of the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and the Maputo Protocol.

Similarly, the convention will play a crucial role in shaping the ongoing struggles of women and girls with disabilities in Africa as they fight to free themselves from dehumanizing inequality, discrimination, barriers, and injustices. These challenges, compounded by misguided perceptions, harmful narratives, taboos, practices, economic stress, natural disaster, and conflict, expose women and —particularly those with disabilities—to various forms of life-threatening violence across the continent.

To advance national ratifications and enforcement at the level of African National States, it will be essential to develop a strong lobbying and advocacy strategy while fostering dialogue and engagement at various levels. In this regard, ADF reaffirms its commitment to collaborate with the African Union’s Women, Gender and Youth Department, as well as all other relevant stakeholders.

Youth-Led Advocacy TOT participants and ADF staff at the ADF Head Office in Addis Ethiopia|Participants from Ghana Nigeria Rwanda Kenya Ethiopia Uganda and Senegal pose for a photo at the end of the one week workshop

Youth Led Advocacy: Amplifying the voices of youth with disabilities for economic inclusion

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In strengthening and amplifying the voices of young women and men with disabilities, 2024 saw African Disability Forum with its members from 7 African countries pilot the youth led advocacy intervention of the We Can Work Programme. ADF is a strategic partner in a consortium led by Light for the World in partnership with Mastercard Foundation aimed at having 1 million young women and men with disabilities accessing fulfilling and dignified work by 2030.

Having developed a generic curriculum on youth led advocacy, in July 2024 ADF successfully trained 12 youth with disabilities in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to be trainers on youth led advocacy for fellow youth with disabilities in their countries. The TOTs had been nominated by their respective Organizations of Persons with Disabilities namely FSAPH, GFD, JONAPWD, UDPK, NUDIPU, NUDOR and FEADP. Post the in-country trainings the youth with disabilities will be self advocates advocating for socio economic inclusion in the targeted urban and rural areas.

Over 280 young women and men with diverse disabilities followed one week youth led advocacy trainings in rural and urban areas of the We Can Work Countries. So inspiring to note that young women and men with disabilities can be trainers, self advocates and what’s more they can work, and enjoy dignified and fulfilling work. The young advocates came up with advocacy action plans that will be implemented in 2025.

Participants from Ghana Nigeria Rwanda Kenya Ethiopia Uganda and Senegal pose for a photo at the end of the one week workshop

These are remarks from some of the young women and men with disabilities, now young advocates:

‘“I learnt that as an advocate, being self-aware is very important.” – Ghana Urban Workshop

“I am motivated to go and read more about Ghana’s Disability Act.” – Ghana rural workshop

“The training has built my self-confidence.” – Uganda Rural Workshop

“I have learnt the about government programs such as parish development modal and national disability grant.” – Uganda Urban Workshop

“I have a right to decent work.” – Rwanda Urban Workshop

“Advocacy is important to achieve our rights.” – Rwanda Rural workshop

“I like the workbook content about my economic rights, I have been empowered.” – Kenya Urban Workshop

“I learnt that disability is an evolving concept.” – Kenya Rural Workshop

“…I am more self aware and able to advocate not just for my self but now for persons with disabilities…” – Senegal Urban Workshop

“I now see how I can take small steps towards advocacy, even in my rural area.” – Senegal Rural Workshop

“I got to know the African Disability Protocol (ADP).” – Nigeria urban workshop

“I didn’t know about the different disability categories; the training has helped me meet and learn more about people with different disability categories.” – Nigeria rural workshop

“I learnt the different economic empowerment treaties, SDGs and special disability grants and how we can utilize it for our advantage.” – Ethiopia Urban workshop

“I am looking forward to know how I can advocate not only for myself but for all persons with disabilities in my community.” – Ethiopia rural workshop

“We Can Work!” This continues to be the clarion call, a resounding and growing voice of the young women and men with disabilities across Kenya, Uganda, Ghana, Senegal, Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Rwanda to stakeholders to engage them in dignified work. The message is clear. Young women and men with disabilities can work, they have the abilities to contribute socially and economically to the development of their nations, continent and the globe at large.

Between September and November 2024, ADF participated in in country pilot activities, learning and consultative meetings with our members in the We Can Work programme. Members affirm that youth led advocacy is pivotal in ensuring young women and women with disabilities have access to and enjoy fulfilling and dignified work. To this end, ADF will prioritize youth participation in policy and decision-making processes, youth consultation and capacity development, representation and leadership in OPDs, youth and women rights organization, intergenerational dialogues and mentorship as well as informed engagement with policy makers and other duty bearers. ADF remains committed to efforts in joint resource mobilization and project implementation, strengthening our own and OPDs capacities, engaging and establishing strategic partnerships for youth led advocacy to amplify the voices of young women and men with disabilities, and promoting access to dignified and fulfilling work.

A graphic poster showing different people with disabilities outdoors. The heading read: international day of persons with disabilities. Underneath it reads: Empowering Disability Leadership for Global Inclusion and Sustainability

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

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#IDPD2024: Empowering Disability Leadership for Global Inclusion and Sustainability

The African Disability Forum extends its solidarity to all persons with disabilities globally as we commemorate the 2024 UN International Day for Persons with Disabilities (IDPD). Under the theme, “Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future,” we emphasize the critical importance of strengthening the leadership and agency of persons with disabilities in shaping their own lives and the world around them. This theme highlights the need to ensure that persons with disabilities are not only included but also empowered to lead, advocate, and drive positive change within their communities and beyond.

The Africa Regional Summit 2024

During the Africa Regional Summit in Nairobi on September 5th, 2024, representatives from 38 African countries united to address key issues affecting the lives of persons with disabilities, focusing on inclusive education, accessible health services, economic empowerment, and political participation. This reflects our commitment to prioritizing the rights and needs of persons with disabilities for a more inclusive society.

Commitment to Disability Rights and Equality

We are encouraged by the continued ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and the African Disability Protocol (ADP). However, much remains to be done. We call on governments, development partners, and the international community to reinforce their commitments to the principles of non-discrimination, equality, and inclusion as outlined in the Nairobi Declaration and the Global Disability Summit (GDS) 2025.

Disability Inclusion in the Climate Change Agenda

We also acknowledge the global climate crisis and the growing advocacy for disability inclusion within the climate change agenda, particularly for youth with disabilities. Harnessing their potential through inclusive education is crucial for achieving sustainable development and empowering them to lead and advocate for the issues that matter most.

Key Global Events

The observance of the #2024IDPD coincides with key global events, such as the Summit of the Future, COP29 and the upcoming Second World Summit for Social Development.These key global summits will complement each other in charting a roadmap for disability-inclusive and sustainable peace and development. The leadership of persons with disabilities will be crucial in ensuring that these agendas are inclusive, rights-based, and grounded in the lived experiences of persons with disabilities.

Call on Governments

We call on governments to reaffirm their commitment to disability-inclusive policies and frameworks, prioritizing the needs and voices of persons with disabilities at all levels of decision-making. We encourage the creation of spaces where persons with disabilities are not just consulted but are empowered to lead in the development of policies, programs, and solutions that affect them. These efforts will create pathways for a more inclusive and sustainable future for all, in line with the vision outlined in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Role of OPDs

We also recognize the vital role that organizations of persons with disabilities play in driving these changes. They are not only advocates but also leaders, using their lived experiences to inform solutions that can benefit entire communities. It is crucial that we continue to support and invest in these organizations to ensure that they can fulfill their mandate and continue to be at the forefront of change.

A Call for Action Towards the Global Disability Summit 2025

The 2024 International Day of Persons with Disability (IDPD) should be a time to renew our shared commitment to ensuring that persons with disabilities are central to global development, with active participation in decision-making processes. We reiterate our call for the creation of inclusive and accessible systems, policies, and practices that uphold the dignity and rights of all individuals, regardless of ability.

As we move towards the Global Disability Summit 2025, let us remember that the leadership of persons with disabilities is not just a right but a necessity. Together, we can amplify the leadership of persons with disabilities, ensuring that they are active agents of change and that their contributions are recognized and valued.

Let us pledge to break down barriers and accelerate progress towards a truly inclusive and sustainable future for all. As we approach the Global Disability Summit 2025, we urge governments, the private sector, and the civil society to commit to concrete, actionable measures that will ensure no one is left behind.

Together, we can create a world where persons with disabilities can live in dignity and equality, participate fully, and contribute to society without barriers.

#AmplifyingLeadership
#NothingAboutUsWithoutUs
#DisabilityRightsAreHumanRights
#GDS2025
#InclusiveFutureForAll

#IDPWD2024

Participant and trainers standing together holding a banner that reads: Disability Inclusive Child Rights Advocacy Training of Trainers Workshop

Disability-Inclusive Child Rights Training of Trainers Concludes Successfully!

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As one of the final activities under the Civil Society Strengthening Program, in partnership with Save the Children International, a three-day Disability-Inclusive Child Rights Training of Trainers was successfully held in Nairobi, Kenya, from 28-30 November 2024.

The training brought together dedicated participants from across the East Africa region, all passionate about turning knowledge into action. The sessions were highly participatory, with a strong focus on how to intentionally include children with disabilities in programs for the Organization of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs).

Key outcomes from the event included participants’ commitments to improving child participation in their respective OPDs. Additionally, they exchanged insights on the disability card, which is currently in advanced stage in Kenya, and requested further support from ADF to foster cross-country learning.

We are excited to see how these newly trained facilitators will amplify the voices of children with disabilities and raise awareness on the importance of inclusion. ADF remains committed to strengthening the capacity of its members in the coming years to drive meaningful change for children with disabilities.

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Completion of Disability-Inclusive Child Rights Training of Trainers

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We are thrilled to announce the successful completion of ADF’s Disability-Inclusive Child Rights Training of Trainers held in Johannesburg, South Africa from 23 – 25 September 2024.

Under the Civil Society Strengthening Program, implemented in partnership with Save the Children International, this three-day training brought together passionate participants from the Southern Africa Federation of the Disabled (SAFOD) and its member organizations eager to make a difference. The sessions were not just informative; they were interactive, fostering deep discussions and shared experiences.

Trainer Lidia Pretorius engaging participants during the TOT (Training of Trainers) workshop.

Participants described the training as an “eye-opener” and a “life-changing experience.” Many expressed their commitment to prioritizing the needs of children with disabilities, vowing to take the knowledge gained back to their organizations and communities.

These newly equipped trainers are now ready to amplify the voices of children with disabilities and spread awareness. Together, we can create a more inclusive society where every child, regardless of disability, can thrive!

|An MoU has being signed between the ADF and African Disability Alliance to advance advocacy for the ratification and implementation of the African Disability Protocol.||A panellist checking his notes|A woman with a mic speaks while an sign language interpreter interprets what she says next to her|Kennedy Kalunga, Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Office, Special Duties, Zambia|ADF Chair, Idriss Maiga|Photograph of attendants of the conference facing a panel of speakers.||The camera is focused on one man at the conference listening to the panellists with language translation headphones on his head|||A big group of attendees standing together posing for a picture.||Mercy Wanjau, Secretary to the Cabinet of the Republic of Kenya standing with Kennedy Kaluga

Insights and Highlights from the African Disability Conference and Pre-Summit

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The African Disability Conference, which began on September 2, 2024, in Nairobi, marked a historic milestone as Africa’s first OPD-led event. This was followed by the African Regional Pre-Summit on September 5. Hosted by the African Disability Forum (ADF) in collaboration with the International Disability Alliance (IDA), Sightsavers International, and other partners, the conference brought together representatives of organizations of persons with disabilities from over 38 countries across the continent, showcasing the rich diversity and vitality of Africa’s disability movement.

These gatherings, as the first regional events leading up to the Global Disability Summit (GDS) 2025 in Berlin, were vital for reflecting on progress made, advocating for change, setting priorities, and encouraging increased investment in disability inclusion.

The conference, themed “Persons with Disabilities in a Post-Pandemic World: Redefining the Inclusive Development & Humanitarian Agenda in Africa,” addressed a wide array of pressing issues. The conference unpacked different thematic areas including regional human rights instruments with a focus on the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (the African Disability Protocol), poverty and inequality, inclusive social protection, access to education and economic opportunities, inclusive humanitarian assistance, climate action, gender inclusion, inclusive health and community inclusion.

An MoU has being signed between the ADF and African Disability Alliance to advance advocacy for the ratification and implementation of the African Disability Protocol.
An MoU has been signed between the ADF and African Disability Alliance to advance advocacy for the ratification and implementation of the African Disability Protocol.

Key highlights of the conference included:

  • Partnership and Collaboration: Emphasizing that building an inclusive and fair future requires joint efforts and that promoting disability-inclusive development is crucial for safeguarding the human rights of persons with disabilities at all levels
  • Inclusive Policy and Legal Frameworks: The need to enhance inclusive policy issuance, repeal discriminatory laws, and promote the ratification and implementation of the African Disability Protocol
  • Equitable Resource Allocation: Ensuring fair distribution of resources and investing in disability-inclusive social protection programs, inclusive education, community inclusion, and inclusive health
  • Active and meaningful participation of OPDs – Ensuring that OPDs are well resourced financially and technically, and deliberately engaging them in decision processes, with particular attention to women, children, youth, indigenous peoples, older persons, persons with high support needs, persons with albinism, refugees, and internally displaced persons with disabilities
  • Awareness and Sensitization: Strengthening efforts in raising awareness and community sensitization about disability issues
  • Gender inclusive development programs: Acknowledging that women with disabilities face multiple and intersecting discrimination and thus critical to apply a gender lens in all development programs and promote their empowerment
  • Data Collection and Management: Improving inclusive data collection, data disaggregation, and disability-inclusive national information management
  • Accessibility: Prioritizing accessibility as a cross-cutting issue and enabler to the enjoyment of rights, participation in, and inclusion in the community

Outcome of the Conference

The three-day discussions were consolidated into a Declaration outlining the key priorities for the region and calling for action from government and development partners. Stay tuned for more details.

Our Commitment

African Disability Forum (ADF) shall keep its momentum to represent persons with disabilities in Africa at regional and global arenas and to voice their concerns. Guided by the Declaration and the Pre-summit Outcome Document- we commit to unifying and amplifying the voice of persons with disabilities, their families, and representative organizations at national, regional, and international levels. Fostering partnership and collaboration, building capacity at both internal and members levels as well as adhering to stewardship shall have paramount importance and remain as core engagement in realizing its stated objectives.

Media coverage

The event was extensively covered by media as outlined below:

  1. https://youtu.be/B9lpXjr-rrU
  2. https://kenyadailypulsenews.wordpress.com/2024/09/05/african-disability-pre-summit-paves-the-way-for-global-change/
  3. https://mountkenyatimes.co.ke/first-african-regional-disability-pre-summit-sets-the-stage-for-global-advocacy/
  4. https://mountkenyatimes.co.ke/first-african-regional-disability-pre-summit-sets-the-stage-for-global-advocacy/
  5. https://www.capitalfm.co.ke/news/2024/09/kenya-and-uk-commit-to-advancing-disability-inclusion-at-regional-summit-in-nairobi/
  6. https://jhkea.org/2024/09/05/disability-inclusion-essential-for-achieving-vision-2030-says-secretary-mercy-wanjau/
  7. https://www.mcdss.gov.zm/?p=7884
  8. https://www.facebook.com/share/p/4wPB2WXa7hXMLcHW/?mibextid=CDWPTG

Heading that reads: Global disability movement demands seat at the “COP table”, underneath a picture shows a banner hanging that reads: Climate Justice

GLOBAL DISABILITY MOVEMENT DEMANDS SEAT AT THE “COP TABLE”

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Today, eight disability organisations representing both regional and global interests, sent a formal letter to members of the Paris Agreement criticising the exclusion of the disability movement from UN climate negotiations, mostly due to unnecessary bureaucracy.

The organisations explain that the UN is stalling in the creation of an official constituency of persons with disabilities, which already exists for other groups such as women and youth and for other UN frameworks.

The stalling critically hinders the disability movement’s participation in negotiations. The letter explains that “a disability constituency will give persons with disabilities equal opportunity to participate, including making plenary interventions, receiving informal advance information, ….”

The letter further makes clear that not only are persons with disabilities disproportionately impacted by climate change but that this exclusion goes against UN treaties, especially the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the UN Disability Inclusion Strategy itself.

Signatories ask Parties to the Paris Agreement to solve the situation by requesting the UNFCCC “to clarify the process of recognition of a disability constituency, and to expedite decisions on this in time for official recognition at COP 29 in Azerbaijan.”

Signatories of the letter include the International Disability Alliance, as well as regional organisations of persons with disabilities from Africa, the ASEAN region, Europe, Latin America, the Arab region, and the Pacific Islands. The International Disability and Development Consortium also signed the letter.

Related Documents

Additional Information

Signatories of the letter:

Contacts

André Félix

Communications Coordinator

andre.felix@edf-feph.org

Gordon Rattray

Programme Coordinator

gordon.rattray@edf-feph.org

The European Disability Forum is an umbrella organisation of persons with disabilities that defends the interests of 100 million Europeans with disabilities. EDF is a unique platform that brings together representative organisations of persons with disabilities across Europe. It is run by persons with disabilities and their families. EDF is a strong, united voice of persons with disabilities in Europe.

ADC poster

Africa’s First Regional OPD-led Conference: Shaping Disability Inclusion in a Post-Pandemic World

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From September 2-5, 2024, the African Disability Forum (ADF) in collaboration with the International Disability Alliance (IDA) and Sightsavers International is hosting a first-of-its-kind regional conference titled “Persons with Disabilities in a Post-Pandemic World: Redefining the Inclusive Development & Humanitarian Agenda in Africa” in Nairobi, Kenya. This Summit marks a significant milestone in the collective efforts to ensure disability inclusion across the continent.

On the last day of the Summit, ADF, in coordination with IDA and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Development and Cooperation (BMZ), is hosting a Regional Disability Summit ahead of the Global Disability Summit (GDS) 2025. The discussions will focus on understanding the engagement of OPDs in previous summits to identify good practices and shortcomings, exploring how the GDS can act as a catalyst for implementing the rights of persons with disabilities in Africa, and assessing the 2018 and 2022 commitments from an African perspective to shape desirable commitments for 2025.

Leveraging the convening power of the African Disability Forum
As a continental membership organization, ADF represents Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) across Africa. It builds on the foundations of existing networks, including continental, sub-regional, and national federations of OPDs. This conference will serve as a unique platform for over 100 participants from diverse sectors, including governments, UN agencies, international organizations, the private sector, and civil society organizations. With a strong leadership role by OPDs, the conference aims to collaboratively outline priority issues for disability inclusion in Africa and develop an actionable plan to address current gaps.

The Summit is designed with several key objectives in mind:

  1. To build a shared understanding of the current challenges and priorities of persons with disabilities in the African region.
  2. To advocate for the urgent ratification and operationalization of the African Disability Protocol.
  3. To identify key advocacy opportunities that amplify the priorities set by the disability movement.
  4. To bring together governments, development actors, civil society organizations (CSOs), and the private sector to share learning, agree on a shared agenda, and identify the necessary resources to ensure inclusive development and humanitarian action.

The conference will feature a range of interactive formats, including plenary sessions, thematic roundtables, and experience-sharing zones, all designed to foster dialogue and innovation. These discussions will be centered around emerging global processes and the the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (African Disability Protocol), focusing on key topics such as positioning the protocol as a global model for disability inclusion, promoting disability-inclusive development , addressing poverty and inequality through social protection, enhancing education and economic opportunities, ensuring inclusive humanitarian assistance , promoting inclusive health and employment, exploring community inclusion strategies, and addressing the unique challenges faced by persons with disabilities in conflict, displacement, and crisis situations.

This Summit will facilitate OPDs to strengthen network, share strategies, and renew commitments to advancing the rights and opportunities of persons with disabilities in Africa. It is a pivotal opportunity to redefine the inclusive development and humanitarian agenda in Africa, setting a precedent for disability inclusion not only within the continent but globally. At the end of the conference and the pre-summit, two outcome documents will be adopted. One summarizing the good practices, challenges and opportunities for addressing rights of persons with disabilities and a call to GDS co-hosts, governments and other stakeholders to prioritize specific commitments on ending discrimination, ensuring accessibility, disability inclusive humanitarian assistance, inclusive employment and health among other issues.

For further information, contact Mirriam Nthenge (mnthenge@ida-secretariat.org), Shitaye Astawes (sastawes@adf-secretariat.org) or Nitya Agarwal (nagarwal@ida-secretariat.org)