DONATE

Sightsavers launches campaign to ratify African disability rights treaty

October 2022

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.

Two women smile and hug: both are wearing colourful clothes. One has a visual impairment.

Join our campaign

One billion people worldwide have a disability. Our Equal World campaign fights for the rights of people with disabilities to go to school, find a job and take part fully in society.

About the campaign

Read all our latest news stories

News from Sightsavers
John Chiti smiles while wearing sunglasses.
sightsavers_news

Sightsavers campaign ambassador inspires Netflix film about albinism

The film ‘Can You See Us?’ is based on the life of John Chiti, who is a Zambian albinism rights campaigner and Sightsavers’ ambassador for the African Disability Protocol campaign.

September 2023
sightsavers_news

Sightsavers campaign sends message to world leaders at UN summit

The Promise in Peril campaign culminated at the SDG summit with a declaration reaffirming commitments to achieving the global goals that explicitly references disability rights.

September 2023
Dr Jalikatu smiles while wearing her surgical coat.
sightsavers_news

Sightsavers-trained doctor appointed deputy minister of health in Sierra Leone

Dr Jalikatu Mustapha trained with Sightsavers between 2012 and 2016, becoming the only female ophthalmologist in the country.

August 2023