Sonke Gender Justice and MenEngage Africa welcome the historic coming into force of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Africa. This is a landmark Protocol which is significant in recognizing and safeguarding the rights of persons with disabilities across the continent and thereby acknowledging their fundamental dignity and autonomy.
While we celebrate the coming into force of this Protocol, it reminds us of the urgent need to develop inclusive policies and practices that ensure the participation of persons with disability in all aspects of society. The Protocol also reminds us of the need for governments to prioritize comprehensive Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights services for persons with disabilities. Despite progress made on several fronts on access to SRHR, persons with disabilities in Africa continue to face systemic and structural barriers that hinder their access to SRHR. Discrimination, stigma and lack of appropriate facilities are some of the barriers and with the coming into force of this protocol, “we urge governments to take immediate actions to dismantle these barriers and ensure that all individuals, regardless of their abilities, can access the full spectrum of sexual and reproductive health services as access to these services is a fundamental human rights and is essential for the overall wellbeing and empowerment of persons with disability”, said Jude Njikem, Sonke Gender Justice’s SRHR Specialist.
“We believe the Protocol has a lot to do with Persons with Disabilities in Africa, as it contains a number of important articles that ensure equal enjoyment of the rights of persons with disabilities. African Disability Forum is pleased with the good news of the coming effect of this important instrument for which it has also contributed its part in lobbying and advocating for the ratifications, together with its partners. We continue the advocacy for more ratifications, and also implementation of the protocol” said Shuaib Chalklen, African Disability Forum’s Executive Director
Sonke Gender Justice and MenEngage Africa call upon all African governments to:
- Fully Implement the Protocol: Take concrete steps to integrate the provisions of the Protocol into national laws and policies, ensuring that the rights of persons with disabilities are upheld and protected.
- Ensure Accessibility: Develop and enhance accessible health services that cater to the specific needs of persons with disabilities, including the provision of information in accessible formats.
- Promote awareness of the rights of persons with disabilities among healthcare providers and the public to foster an inclusive and respectful environment.
- Engage Persons with Disabilities: Involve persons with disabilities in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of health services to ensure their perspectives and needs are central to service delivery.
As we celebrate this monumental achievement, we urge all stakeholders—governments, civil society, and communities—to work collaboratively to achieve reproductive autonomy for persons with disabilities, access to information and friendly service. We stand in solidarity with persons with disabilities, advocating for their full participation in all aspects of society. We call upon all member states to ratify and implement the protocol, ensuring that its provisions are translated into tangible actions that improve the lives of persons with disabilities. We also call on the international community to Meaningfully Expand and Intentionally fund Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights programmes in line with the African Disability Protocol
Together, we can build a more inclusive and equitable Africa, where every individual, regardless of their abilities, can thrive and contribute to the development of our communities.
For more information, please contact
Amukelani Chauke, Regional Communications and Social Media Coordinator, Sonke Gender Justice on amu@genderjustice.org.za or +27748574254