The Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) has called for immediate and decisive action to address the gender disparities affecting women and girls with disabilities.
Commemorating the 2025 International Women’s Day under the theme “Accelerate Action for Gender Equality,” CCD, in a statement by its Acting Director, Godwin Unumeri, emphasized the urgency of creating inclusive societies where women and girls with disabilities are fully empowered to enjoy their rights and realize their potential.
Unumeri reiterated its commitment to advocating for the inclusion, rights, and development of women and girls with disabilities.
The center also highlighted that while global frameworks such as the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and national policies like the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018 guarantee equal rights, women and girls with disabilities continue to face barriers that prevent them from fully participating in society. “The need for swift action to eliminate these barriers has never been more urgent,” CCD declared.
Women and girls with disabilities experience a compounded marginalization due to the intersectionality of gender and disability. They are often excluded from social, economic, and political spheres and face significant barriers that hinder their access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities.
Furthermore, they suffer disproportionally from gender-based violence, with rates of sexual violence being higher among women and girls with disabilities compared to their peers without disabilities. “These challenges, coupled with exclusion from leadership roles and decision-making, create a cycle of oppression that we must break,” CCD added.
In line with the fifth Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 5), which seeks to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls by 2030, CCD is calling for a more inclusive approach to development. The organization advocated for policy reforms that integrate the needs of women and girls with disabilities into national and international gender equality frameworks.
CCD stressed that “no woman or girl, regardless of disability, should be left behind in the quest for gender equality.”
To achieve these goals, CCD has outlined a series of recommendations aimed at accelerating action for gender equality. The first of these is the mainstreaming of disability-inclusive policies.
CCD urged both government and private sector actors to ensure that policies are not only gender-sensitive but also inclusive of women and girls with disabilities, addressing their unique needs in every sector. “Gender equality cannot be realized if the specific needs of women and girls with disabilities are ignored,” CCD noted.
Furthermore, the CCD advocated for inclusive education, economic empowerment, and accessible healthcare as key pillars of their action plan. By ensuring that schools are accessible and safe for girls with disabilities, the organization believes that they can be empowered to achieve their fullest potential.
The Acting Director of CCD harped on the importance of eliminating barriers to economic opportunities and ensuring that women and girls with disabilities have access to resources, training, and financial services. “Economic empowerment is crucial for their autonomy and social integration,” he said.
He also demanded for a greater focus on elevating the participation of women and girls with disabilities in sports, the arts, and political leadership. These avenues provide critical opportunities for recognition, empowerment, and social change. “Their representation in political and leadership roles is vital to creating a more inclusive society where their rights are respected,” he added.