Our Activities
At African Disability Policy Advocates, we are dedicated to promoting the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities through various impactful activities.
EVENTS
ADPA HOSTS FIRST-EVER UN INTERNATIONAL DAY OF HOPE IN GHANA
We actively organised the UN International Day of Hope to raise awareness and advocate for the inclusion of persons with disabilities in all aspects of society.
African Disability Policy Advocates Leads Historic Event in Partnership with Gomoa East Assembly
In a groundbreaking moment for disability inclusion and global solidarity, the African Disability Policy Advocates (ADPA) on Friday, July 10, 2025, successfully organised the first-ever United Nations International Day of Hope on African soil. The event, held at Gomoa Potsin in the Central Region, was hosted in proud partnership with the Gomoa East Municipal Assembly.
The historic gathering drew a powerful mix of traditional leaders, members of Parliament, local authorities, musicians, media practitioners, and over a hundred persons with disabilities from across the country. Their presence underscored a growing national commitment to visibility, empowerment, and equality for persons living with disabilities.
The programme was rich with solidarity messages delivered by representatives of Ghana’s Parliament, disability rights organizations, and Queen Mothers of the area—each reaffirming the importance of inclusion, dignity, and shared humanity.
The highlight of the ceremony was a stirring keynote address by the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, who praised the organisers and called for greater policy action and investment in mental health and disability-friendly infrastructure.
“Hope is not charity. Hope is a right,” the Minister declared. “And today, Ghana leads Africa in affirming that right for every person living with a disability.”
This inaugural Day of Hope is expected to become an annual fixture in Ghana’s social calendar and a rallying point for inclusive development across the continent.
Engaging Key Stakeholders
Our successful activities include engaging government officials, traditional leaders, the media, and the general public to foster a more inclusive and equitable society for persons with disabilities.
Advancing Disability-Inclusive Policies in Africa: A Call to Action for Equity and Justice
in Africa today, the voices of persons with disabilities—especially women and girls—are gaining momentum in shaping the policy agenda. Yet, much remains to be done to ensure full inclusion, equity, and justice in all spheres of life. The African Disability Policy Advocates (ADPA) call on governments, civil society, donors, and communities to urgently prioritize disability-inclusive development, with a special focus on gender and intersectionality.
The Landscape: Inequality Deepens at the Intersections
Across the continent, persons with disabilities continue to face systemic barriers in accessing education, healthcare, employment, and political participation. For women and girls with disabilities, these challenges are compounded by gender-based discrimination and harmful cultural practices. Despite numerous commitments—including the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights, the Maputo Protocol, and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD)—implementation remains weak.
Too often, policies are developed without the participation of those most affected. Data on disability is scarce, and national budgets rarely reflect inclusive priorities. These gaps hinder Africa’s progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals and Agenda 2063.
Centering Women and Girls with Disabilities
The leadership, knowledge, and resilience of women and girls with disabilities must be recognized as critical drivers of change. Their exclusion from decision-making processes denies Africa the benefit of diverse perspectives and innovative solutions. ADPA advocates for:
Strengthening advocacy capacity of women and girls with disabilities to lead change in their communities and influence national policies.
Ensuring meaningful participation in political, economic, and social governance spaces.
Integrating disability rights into all gender equality and human rights frameworks, recognizing disability as a cross-cutting issue.
From Policy to Practice: What Must Be Done
To move from intention to impact, the following actions are critical:
Inclusive Policy Design: Governments must co-create policies with organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs), especially those led by women and youth.
Disaggregated Data: Invest in robust, gender- and disability-disaggregated data to inform planning and measure progress.
Accountability Mechanisms: Implement monitoring tools that track how policies and resources address disability inclusion.
Resourcing Inclusion: Allocate sufficient funding to disability-inclusive programs in education, health, livelihood, and governance.
Capacity Building: Support grassroots advocacy and leadership development for marginalized disability groups.
Our Vision: A Just and Inclusive Africa
At ADPA, we envision a just, inclusive, and equitable Africa where persons with disabilities, especially women and girls, have full access to rights, opportunities, and leadership in policymaking. This vision requires collective commitment and urgent action from all sectors of society.
As we mark key milestones in Africa’s development journey, let us remember: inclusion is not charity—it is justice. Let us not speak for persons with disabilities; let us create space for them to speak, lead, and thrive.
Join the Movement
African Disability Policy Advocates are building a continent-wide movement for disability justice. Connect with us, collaborate, and advocate for a better, inclusive Africa.
Contact: info@african-disability-policy-advocates.org
Beneficiaries and Participants
The primary beneficiaries of our activities are persons with disabilities, mental health advocates, and individuals living with mental health conditions, as well as their families and caregivers.
Contributing to Our Mission
Through our activities, we aim to give visibility to issues concerning persons with disabilities, especially women and children with disabilities in Africa, aligning directly with our organization's mission.
ADPA collaborates with other NGOs to celebrate Women with disabilities in Abidjan
Mother’s Day Celebration with Women with Disabilities
28 May, 2025
Honoring Strength, Resilience, and Inclusion
Mother’s Day is more than a celebration—it is a powerful moment to honor the strength, love, and dedication of mothers everywhere. For women with disabilities, this day holds even greater significance, as they continue to navigate and overcome barriers in accessing their rights, health services, education, employment, and social participation.
To ensure these mothers are seen, heard, and celebrated, Mouvement des Personnes Handicapées de Côte d’Ivoire (MPHCI), Confédération des Personnes Handicapées de Côte d’Ivoire (COPHCI) and the African Disability Policy Advocates (ADPA), joined forces to organize an inclusive Mother’s Day celebration dedicated to women with disabilities in Abidjan, Côte D’ivoire. This initiative aims to highlight their invaluable contributions to society while advocating for greater visibility, respect, and inclusion.
Why This Matters
Women with disabilities are too often left out of social and community celebrations. This event serves as a reminder that inclusion is not optional—it is essential. By recognising their resilience and amplifying their voices, we help build a more just and equitable society.
Goals of the Celebration
Main Goal:
To celebrate Mother’s Day with women with disabilities and promote their social inclusion.
Specific Objectives:
• Create a joyful, shared experience for women with disabilities.
• Raise public awareness about their rights and daily challenges.
• Foster self-confidence and empowerment.
• Strengthen community solidarity and social cohesion.
What We Achieved
• A successful and inclusive celebration held in Abidjan.
• Over 150 women with disabilities took part in the festivities.
• Key messages on disability rights and gender inclusion shared.
• Participants received symbolic gifts and food packages in appreciation.
• The event received media coverage, helping to elevate the voices and experiences of women with disabilities.
Looking Ahead
This celebration is just one step in a broader commitment to championing the rights of women and girls with disabilities in Africa. Through continued advocacy, awareness, and inclusive programming, MPHCI, COPHCI and ADPA reaffirm their mission to create a society where no woman is left behind.
#InclusiveMotherhood | #DisabilityRights | #WomenWithDisabilities | #AbidjanCelebrates
Get Involved
Support our activities and help us make a difference in the lives of persons with disabilities. Contact us to learn more about how you can contribute!