The African Disability Forum (ADF) affirms its strong support for the Civil Society Forum Declaration adopted in Berlin on 1 April 2025, ahead of the Global Disability Summit. We commend the powerful leadership of Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) and civil society organizations worldwide for uniting around a clear and urgent message: disability inclusion is not about charity or choice—it is about justice, rights, and dignity.
The Declaration reminds us that meaningful change must be bold, systemic, intersectional, and led by those with lived experience. ADF proudly aligns with this vision and fully endorses the Declaration.
Across Africa, persons with disabilities continue to face systemic barriers to education, healthcare, employment, and civic participation. While most African Union member states have ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), implementation remains inconsistent. We call on all states to ratify the African Disability Protocol and commend those who already have.
The Declaration rightly asserts that disability rights are human rights—and that failure to implement or finance these rights constitutes a breach of states’ obligations under the CRPD. ADF particularly supports the Declaration’s strong focus on financing disability inclusion. Without adequate, predictable, and targeted funding, commitments remain unfulfilled. We call on African governments, donors, and development partners to:
- Embed disability-inclusive budgeting across all sectors and programs
- Allocate specific, time-bound resources toward the “15% for the 15%” goal
- Ensure equitable, flexible, and sustained funding for OPDs—especially those led by women, youth, and people with high support needs
The Declaration rightly positions OPDs as leaders—not just participants—in the disability rights movement. ADF emphasizes the need for their meaningful participation in the design, implementation, and monitoring of policies and programs. Article 4.3 of the CRPD must be fully realized through structured, funded partnerships and shared leadership models—not one-off consultations.
ADF also applauds the Declaration’s commitment to intersectionality, especially in uplifting the voices of women, girls, youth, and indigenous persons with disabilities. We call for continued efforts to ensure Africa’s young people and women with disabilities are empowered to lead.
The Civil Society Forum Declaration is a call to action. To ensure the Amman-Berlin Declaration adopted at the Global Disability Summit 2025 becomes more than a promise, we urge African governments to:
- Publicly endorse the Amman-Berlin Declaration
- Partner with OPDs to implement its commitments at the national level
- Develop concrete, country-specific action plans with measurable indicators and inclusive monitoring frameworks
As we look to the post-2030 development agenda, disability inclusion must be central to all regional and national strategies. Persons with disabilities are not just stakeholders—they are architects of Africa’s future.
With solidarity and courage, we move from declarations to action.
