Citizenship and political participation

Everyone has the right to take part in decision-making processes, so that they can influence policies that affect their lives.

Disability advocate Josephine is mentored by neighbour Alusine, a leader of an organisation of people with disabilities. © Sightsavers/Hickmatu Leigh

In many countries, governance systems are not inclusive, and people with disabilities are excluded from participating fully in society.

They may experience barriers when trying to vote, stand for election, speak out and influence public policies. This can be because of stigma, discrimination, inaccessible environments and a lack of access to education and financial resources.

Unequal participation in politics means the concerns of people with disabilities are not fully taken into account by decision-makers. Article 29 of the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities states people with disabilities should fully and effectively participate in political and public life on an equal basis with others.

Making citizenship and political participation inclusive helps to address inequality and promote the rights of people with disabilities.

Sightsavers works in partnership with disability organisations to make sure the voices of people with disabilities are heard. We support the people we work with to take part in decision-making processes at local, national and global levels. As part of our campaigning work, we’re urging countries to ratify the African Disability Protocol to implement inclusive legislation.

Watch the video below to see how we support young people with disabilities in Sierra Leone to be leaders in their communities.

Our approach to citizenship

Local decision-making

Many important decisions that impact the daily lives of people with disabilities are taken locally. Our inclusive decision-making approach increases opportunities for people with disabilities to influence local government decisions.

Inclusive elections

We work with disability organisations and electoral commissions to make polling stations, voter information and ballots more accessible. We advocate for changes to electoral processes and encourage people with disabilities to stand as candidates.

Inclusive citizenship

We inform people about their disability rights and promote inclusion in civil society. Our projects strengthen organisations of people with disabilities to influence inclusive policies. We also help people to gain civil documents such as ID cards.

Our inclusion work won a Zero Project award in 2023

Read the news story

How our projects make a difference

A woman holding a microphone points to a whiteboard that says 'what is youth citizenship?'.

We help young people to claim their rights

Sightsavers is supporting young people with disabilities in Sierra Leone to claim their rights, make their voices heard and become influential leaders in their communities.

We promote leadership roles for women

We work with organisations of women with disabilities in Ghana to increase their leadership, recognising that gender discrimination makes participation even more challenging.

A woman speaking into a microphone delivers a presentation about the African Disability Protocol.

We support people to influence policies

Our programmes in Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe are helping to strengthen organisations of people with disabilities so they can influence inclusive policies.

A large group of people pose for a photograph.

We make voting more accessible

We’re working in Tanzania to promote inclusive election systems and make voting more accessible for people with different types of disabilities, enabling them to shape political outcomes.

A pair of hands holding ID cards with a wheelchair symbol on.

We support people to get voting documentation

Our project in Senegal and Cameroon has supported nearly 3,500 people with disabilities to access the official documentation they need to vote in local and national elections.

A coloured illustration of people queuing to post their election cards at the polling station. One person holds a guide cane.

We co-create accessible voting tools

In West Africa, we’re working with Inclusion International and people with intellectual disabilities to design voting information tools that support participation in elections.

Our funding partners

View our reports, guides and tools

Inclusive citizenship resources

More about inclusive citizenship

Blogs / Disability and inclusion /

Sightsavers’ Laurène Leclercq shares successes from an award-winning project in Cameroon and Senegal that’s supporting people with disabilities to participate in all aspects of political life.

Laurène Leclercq, March 2023

A woman with crutches walks into a building.

Stories / Disability and inclusion /

We’re working with partners in Cameroon and Senegal to ensure people with disabilities are able to take part in every stage of the political process.

Blogs / Disability and inclusion /

Our research shows that a lack of education and financial resources, social stigma and inaccessible physical infrastructure mean fewer people with disabilities are participating in politics in Africa.

Bhavisha Virendrakumar, October 2019

We protect sight, fight disease and make sure everyone can claim their rights.

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