Sightsavers launches campaign to ratify African disability rights treaty

Sightsavers, the African Disability Forum and the African Union have launched a campaign to urge governments to ratify the African Disability Protocol.

The African Disability Protocol (ADP) addresses disability rights issues specific to people with disabilities living in African countries. The #RatifyTheADP campaign calls on governments across the continent to promote and protect the rights of people with disabilities.

In 2018, all 55 member states of the African Union adopted the ADP. But since then, only Angola, Burundi, Kenya, Mali and Rwanda have ratified. For the ADP to become legally binding, at least 15 member states must sign and ratify it.

The #RatifyTheADP campaign calls on African Union member states to honour their commitment and take the necessary steps to sign and ratify the protocol internally, before delivering the documents to the African Union to complete the process. Sightsavers is supporting the campaign as part of its wider Equal World global disability rights campaign.

There are 80 million people with disabilities living in Africa, many of whom face specific forms of stigma and discrimination linked to traditional beliefs and superstitions. For example, the ADP outlines the need to protect people with albinism from harm, as in some countries their body parts are believed to have magical properties, and they are at risk of being abducted or killed.

Ratifying the African Disability Protocol is a critical step to protect the rights and dignity of people with disabilities living in Africa.

Watch our video below to find out more about the #RatifyTheADP campaign.