21/05/2026
Statement from the Kenya Network of Women and Girls with Disabilities and Women Challenged to Challenge
As women with disabilities, we wish to acknowledge the important role played by persons with disabilities and their representative organizations at the grassroots, national, regional, and global levels in amplifying the voices of women with disabilities and ensuring their visibility and recognition. Although women with disabilities have increasingly occupied development spaces, they are still far from realizing their full potential and fully enjoying their fundamental rights as provided for in various legal instruments.
To draw attention to these issues during the 87th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the Kenya Network of Women and Girls with Disabilities and Women Challenged to Challenge submitted an alternative report to the Commission. The report highlighted five key issues while also recognizing the efforts made by the Government of Kenya in putting in place policies, laws, and programmes aimed at promoting gender equality. These legal frameworks guarantee the right to quality sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), education, access to justice, economic empowerment, decent work, participation, and representation for all. While women in general have access to these opportunities, significant gaps remain for women with disabilities, including the low implementation of existing laws and policies.
We also recognize the efforts and advocacy work undertaken by Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) in achieving the milestones and progress attained by women with disabilities so far. At the national level, United Disabled Persons of Kenya has done tremendous work to ensure that policies and laws are inclusive of all persons with disabilities, especially women and girls with disabilities. At the regional level, the African Disability Forum and Disabled Women in Africa have provided technical support to the Kenya Network of Women and Girls with Disabilities and Women Challenged to Challenge, both national women-led OPDs, in developing the alternative report and ensuring the meaningful and full participation of women with disabilities during the 87th Session
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