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.
UPCOMING EVENT
UN International Day Of Hope-12th July 2025
We Will actively participate in the UN International Day of Hope to raise awareness and advocate for the inclusion of persons with disabilities in all aspects of society.
The African Disability Policy Advocates (ADPA) proudly celebrates the landmark adoption of United Nations General Assembly Resolution A/79/L.54, which designates 12 July as the International Day of Hope. This milestone underscores the global recognition of hope as a catalyst for resilience, dignity, and mental well-being—values that are essential to inclusive development, especially for persons with disabilities.
In honor of this historic occasion, ADPA will commemorate the first International Day of Hope on 12 July 2025 in Ghana, gathering advocates, allies, policymakers, and community leaders to center the voices and experiences of persons with disabilities within conversations on mental health and well-being.
Why This Day Matters
Mental health is a critical, yet often overlooked, global concern. It touches every corner of society—but for persons with disabilities, the challenges are especially acute. The relationship between disability and mental health is both complex and deeply intertwined.
Persons with physical, sensory, intellectual, or developmental disabilities face elevated risks of mental health conditions due to persistent systemic barriers. These include:
Social exclusion and stigma
Discrimination and negative stereotypes
Limited access to quality education, healthcare, and employment
Exposure to violence, neglect, and abuse
Economic insecurity and marginalization
Such conditions are not just individual hardships—they are systemic failures. They contribute to the onset and worsening of mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and suicidal ideation.
At the same time, mental health conditions themselves can constitute disabilities, especially when long-lasting or inadequately addressed. Severe disorders such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and chronic depression can substantially impair an individual’s ability to function, participate in society, and exercise their rights. These conditions are rightly recognized under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Africa.
Hope as a Human Right
Designating July 12th as the International Day of Hope affirms that hope is not a luxury—it is a human right and a foundation for mental resilience. For persons with disabilities, hope is often what sustains resistance against marginalization and fuels the pursuit of justice and dignity.
• ADPA believes that celebrating this day in Ghana offers an opportunity to:
• Raise awareness about the intersection of disability and mental health
• Promote inclusive mental health systems and services
• Champion African-led advocacy and policy reforms
• Affirm the leadership and lived experiences of persons with disabilities
• Call for increased investments in mental health supports that are disability-inclusive, culturally relevant, and accessible
A Call to Action
On this inaugural International Day of Hope, ADPA calls upon:
• Governments to uphold their commitments under the CRPD and African Disability Protocol by integrating disability-inclusive mental health strategies into national policies.
• Civil society organizations to elevate the voices of persons with psychosocial and other disabilities, and ensure their full participation in policy design and service delivery.
• Healthcare systems to invest in accessible, rights-based mental health care and psychosocial support services.
• Communities and families to replace stigma with solidarity, and to foster environments where hope, healing, and human dignity can flourish.
Moving Forward Together
The adoption of the International Day of Hope is more than a symbolic gesture—it is a mandate for action, a rallying cry to transform systems, and a moment to uplift those often pushed to the margins.
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!