Disability news and resources in Africa
This page lists the countries in Africa with resources and recent highlights.
Countries
- Africa
- Algeria
- Angola
- Benin
- Botswana
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi
- Cabo Verde
- Chad
- Congo-Brazzaville
- Congo-Kinshasa
- Djibouti
- East Africa
- Egypt
- Eswatini
- Ethiopia
- Gabon
- Gambia
- Ghana
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Ivory Coast
- Kenya
- Lesohto
- Liberia
- Libya
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Mali
- Mauritania
- Morocco
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Niger
- Nigeria
- Rwanda
- Senegal
- Sierra Leone
- Somalia
- South Africa
- South Sudan
- Sudan
- Tanzania
- Tunisia
- Uganda
- West Africa
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
Recent Highlights
In Africa:
This is war Fighting back against the violence faced by people with albinism:
‘We are fighting against extreme forms of exclusion and discrimination. “War” is the most apt description where one is being hunted and killed simply for having the genetic condition of albinism. I understand that this is strong language, but I see myself as a frontline soldier. The main weapons on our side of this unconventional warfare are the human rights frameworks, combined with strategic advocacy, doggedness, and integrity.’ (Mar, Disability Debrief)
The African Disability Protocol: Enhancing Disability Rights Protection in Africa. Article explores how the protocol tackles issues not in the UN Convention. (2024, African Law Matters)
Why do deaf Africans struggle to access their rights? A brief look at sign-language use in several countries. (2023, DW)
Mapping and Recommendations on Disability-Inclusive Education. In Eastern and Southern Africa (2023, UNICEF)
In Djibouti:
Searching for identity “The award-winning Djiboutian author, Abdourahman Waberi, shares his reflections on writing, power and living with a disability.” (2023, Africa is a Country)
In Ghana:
A Path to Belonging for People with Psychosocial Disabilities in Ghana | Human Rights Watch Human Rights Watch goes back to a “prayer camp” to find someone still shackled one year after their previous visit:
‘Pamela was just as I last saw her, only emaciated, her eyes enormous on her gaunt face. When I asked her about life at the camp, her face crumpled, and she started to cry. “They don’t allow us to go to church,” she said. “That pains me. I want to go to church.” I was astounded: this was a prayer camp after all. A staff member told her: “But look at you, Pamela. How can I allow you to go to church?”’ (2023, Human Rights Watch)
In Kenya:
Kenya’s troubled 60-year mental health journey from colonial institutions and laws to those making change today. (2023, The Nation)
In Nigeria:
Schisms in the Church A Debrief feature on the disconnect faced by deaf worshippers in Nigeria:
“This piece explores the challenges of deaf persons in the church. It draws from my own life and the experiences of other deaf folks, most of them close friends and acquaintances I met within the deaf community. We often talk about what causes our disconnection in church. We are treated as after-thoughts, objects of charity, sub-par humans, or needing healing. But we know we are much more.” (2024, Disability Debrief)
Girls with Disability Suffer, Rejected in Lagos Special Schools a detailed look at a lack of accessible and hygienic toilets and hygiene facilities. (2024, This Day)
I Voted: Benedicta Oyèdayọ̀ Oyèwọlé Documents the Challenges Nigerians with Disabilities Faced Voting in February’s Elections. (2023, Disability Justice Project)
Decent work inaccessible to most workers with disabilities: a survey of 600 workers with disabilities. “Most of the 660 workers surveyed are self-employed and in the informal sector. Almost half of respondents earn less than Nigeria’s minimum wage and say their work environment is not accommodating to their disability.” (2023, Solidarity Center)
In Sudan:
How the war in Sudan has cast its shadow on people with disabilities. (In Arabic, 2024, AlJazeera)
“We are not alone”. A Debrief feature on disabled people in Sudan's conflict. A call for solidarity: “desperate circumstances, the institutions that let them down, and the systems of love that hold things together.” Also available in Arabic. (2023, Disability Debrief)
In Tanzania:
Landmark judgment on rights of persons with albinism delivered by African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights:
“The African Court judgment is a timely message to other African states to fight against harmful cultural beliefs and practices, endured by persons with albinism for several decades without redress and hold perpetrators accountable. Notably, Tanzania has the highest population of persons with albinism globally. This landmark judgment sets a precedent on which to base enforcement and protection of the rights of persons with albinism in other parts of Africa and globally.” (Feb, Centre for Human Rights)
Child's father, Priest among nine arrested in murder of girl with albinism. Two-year old Asimwe Novath was abducted at the end of May and her body was found a bit over two weeks later. (2024, The Citizen) See more about the search.