Nairobi, Kenya – Oct , 2024
Disabled Women in Africa (DIWA) delivered a compelling presentation during a panel on gender inclusion at the African Disability Conference held in Nairobi, Kenya, in 2024. The event, organized by the African Disability Forum (ADF), brought together policymakers, development partners, and organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs) from across the continent to deliberate on strengthening inclusive development, leadership, and implementation of the African Disability Protocol (ADP).
Representing DIWA, Ruth Mkutumula, Executive Director and Aida Sarr, Program Manager underscored the centrality of gender inclusion in all disability rights frameworks, calling for deliberate action to ensure that the rights and voices of women and girls with disabilities are recognized within advocacy, policymaking, and implementation processes at both national and continental levels.
“Gender inclusion is not an optional component of disability advocacy, it is its foundation,” said Aida Sarr. “For too long, women and girls with disabilities have been left out of spaces that shape their future. Our challenge as a movement is to make gender inclusion measurable, resourced, and institutionalized within Africa’s disability rights frameworks.”
During the panel, DIWA highlighted lessons learned from its continental and regional initiatives, particularly the SPADRA Project (Strengthening Partnerships to Advance Disability Rights in Africa) funded by SIDA and implemented in consortium with ADF and Inclusion Africa. The presentation showcased concrete examples of women with disabilities influencing national policies and contributing to regional policy dialogues.
In addition to contributing to the panel, DIWA used the opportunity to convene a strategic meeting with its members present at the conference to plan for its upcoming General Assembly scheduled for 2025. The side meeting brought together representatives from DIWA’s member organizations across Southern, Eastern, and Central Africa to reflect on progress made under the current strategic plan and identify priorities for the Assembly agenda.
The discussions focused on strengthening governance structures, enhancing membership engagement, and setting collective goals for DIWA’s continued leadership in advancing the rights of women and girls with disabilities across the continent.
“This was a moment of connection and preparation,” Ruth explained. “Bringing our members together during the conference allowed us to align our priorities, renew our solidarity, and set the groundwork for a successful 2025 General Assembly.”
DIWA’s presence at the African Disability Conference reaffirmed its commitment to influencing continental policy processes, advancing gender and disability inclusion, and promoting collaborative leadership among African women with disabilities. The conference concluded with strong calls for African States to ratify and implement the African Disability Protocol, promote inclusive leadership, and ensure that the gender and disability equality agenda is fully integrated within Africa’s development frameworks.