Leave No Woman Behind!

There is no advocacy without analysing policy framework!

As one in five women is a woman living with a disability, yet very few policies are built to ensure and protect the rights of women with disabilities specifically. Although some policies entail inclusive measures, which deserve to be highlighted, this study sheds light on the huge lack of inclusion and equality of GBV policies.

The initial policy review was first carried out in 2020. At that time, inclusion, intersectionality and diversity were already at the forefront of the conversation. Although policies should be inclusive and protect those who face intersecting forms of discrimination, our study found that women with disabilities were invisible in two-thirds of GBV policies.

The updated review, published in 2024, sadly confirms that there is still a long way to go among the 31 GBV policies analysed across the African continent.

Beyond the bitter observation, this document aims to improve the inclusion of GBV policies. It gathers elements to guide policy makers on building stronger and more inclusive policies. We also hope that it will inspire women-led civil society organisations to review existing policies, because the better we assess exclusion, the more chance we have of addressing it.

Thanks and congratulations to Isabelle Lamaud for conducting this thorough update!

Disabled Women in Africa DIWA Malawi was invited at the sitting of the Committee on Genger, Family, Youth and People with Disability Affairs of the Pan African Parliament (PAP) on 25th of August, 2022.

Ruth Mkutumula, Country Director, delivered a powerful speech, this presentation being "an excellent opportunity to meaningfully promote and campaign for ratification and domestication of the African Disability Protocol and domestication of the PAP Model Law on Disability."

Following one of DIWA's recommendation, the PAP Committee announced the set up a “vital subcommittee” that is tasked with advancing advocacy strategy for the promotion of ratification of the Protocol and Domestication of the African Model Law on Disability". A major achievement where DIWA's action has been instrumental.

See at this link the Press Release of the Pan African Parliament.

Read the full text in accessible PDF hereafter.

These gender-focused advocacy tools (2 and 4 pages) will help you advocate and communicate around the new AU Protocol on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Learn and articulate how the Protocol is ground-breaking!

1 - Women with Disabilities are Uniquely Prioritized

2- Fighting Against Discrimination by Association

3- Protection from Harmful Practices

4 - Progressive Disability Inclusive Gender Perspectives

5 - Unprecedented Protection of Girls with Disabilities

You will find below the Gender focused advocacy tool (2 pages) along with 2 pages of more explanations to help you with in-depth advocacy - in the short 2 pages version or in the full 4 pages version.

This 4-pages advocacy tool will help you advocate and communicate around the new AU Protocol on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Learn and articulate how the Protocol is ground-breaking!

1- Defending the Rights of African Children with Disabilities of the 21st Century

2- No Longer Ignored: Youth with Disabilities

3- Protecting the Growing Populations of Older Persons

You will find below the advocacy tool (2 pages) along with 2 pages of more explanations to help you with in-depth advocacy - in the short 2 pages version or in the full 4 pages version.