News Room A Nigerian disability advocate, Jennifer Abomnger, has called for greater inclusion of women with disabilities in African women’s movements, highlighting a long-standing disconnect between them and their non-disabled counterparts.
Speaking during a panel discussion titled “The Future We Want: Reimagining Our Future Beyond Beijing” at the 2025 African Women in Dialogue (AFWID) in Johannesburg, South Africa, Abomnger stressed the need to shift the perception of disability from a mere condition to a fundamental issue of social inclusion. While acknowledging that most African countries have disability laws in place, she emphasised that legal frameworks alone are not enough. She urged African women’s movements to provide reasonable accommodation for women with disabilities in all their diversity, ensuring they are not left behind in key conversations and initiatives.
Despite progress, data shows that African women with disabilities face significant barriers to economic opportunities, political participation, and social inclusion. According to the United Nations, nearly 80% of persons with disabilities live in developing countries, and women with disabilities are twice as likely to experience gender-based violence compared to their non-disabled peers. The lack of representation in leadership and decision-making spaces further deepens their marginalisation.
A United Front for African Women
The dialogue brought together over 1,000 women from 55 African countries to discuss pressing gender issues, with breakout sessions covering various topics, including mentorship, political participation, and economic empowerment.
Mama Riah Phiyega, CEO of Women Development Business (WDB) Trust, underscored the need for women to unite in addressing shared struggles across the continent. “The issues that affect African women unite them. They may have nuances depending on the region, but they happen in all spaces, hence the need for dialogue,” she said.
Dolapo H. Osunsina, co-founder of hFACTOR, speaking at one of the sessions, highlighted mentorship as a crucial tool for empowering women, stressing that collective effort is key to activating their potential.
Engaging Men as Allies
Nigerian Beijing veteran Dr Timiebi Koripamo (OON) called for a shift in how women approach gender advocacy, urging them to engage men as partners rather than adversaries. “I think most of us see men as opponents, and that mindset won’t help us,” she said. “Women played a significant role in resolving the Mano River Basin crisis. We must remember that men are our brothers, fathers, uncles, and husbands. We should engage them in negotiations and put forward resolutions together.”
Expanding the Conversation Across Africa
Dr Chinyere Chukwudebelu, a member of the AFWID 2025 steering committee, reflected on the success of the event, noting that despite cultural, linguistic, and religious differences, the dialogue fostered a strong sense of unity. “Attendees left knowing they have sisters everywhere in Africa,” she said.
As the AFWID Coordinator for Nigeria and Regional Leader for Anglophone and Lusophone West Africa, Chukwudebelu revealed plans to deepen regional conversations on gender by localising the dialogue. She announced an initiative to form inclusive, inter-sectoral groups in different countries within her region to review and domesticate AFWID resolutions according to national contexts. Additionally, regional meetings will be held to align each country’s plans with AFWID’s broader objectives.
With growing momentum, AFWID 2025 has set the stage for a more inclusive and regionally grounded approach to advancing women’s rights across Africa, ensuring that no woman—regardless of disability, background, or status—is left behind.
