Adama Vandy Konneh, the Wife of the Chairman and Chief Commissioner of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD) in Sierra Leone.

Happy International Women’s Day to all girls and mothers out there, but most especially to the women who identify as persons with disabilities (PWDs). On this day, I want to recognize the problematic situations of women, the attempts that have been made towards attaining gender equality, and the challenges that women face in society.

As we celebrate this day, I want to remind everyone that women with disabilities continue to face a set of vulnerabilities in society. However, we as citizens could reduce these susceptibilities by encouraging women with disabilities to self-advocate for them.

Since my teenage years, I have been an advocate and champion for PWDs. The one thing I know works in the field of disability is self-advocacy. When we enable women with disabilities to self-advocate, we will embolden them to be key players in their matters and make their voices heard in the fight for disability inclusion. Hearing from them will make society aware of what they need and take on practical approaches to bring solutions to some or all of their barriers.

Two of the most critical areas that need attention are women with disabilities health and employment.  Communities must promote employment for PWDs and increase the number of women with disabilities in the workforce. By doing so, we will aid in safeguarding the subsistence of women with disabilities. The health and well-being of women with disabilities MUST be prioritized.

Women with disabilities should have more access to healthcare facilities. The challenges they encounter in life are too harsh to be deprived of equal access to health facilities. The general public should think about the health risks faced by people with disabilities. It is not only important to provide health care facilities, but having meaningful dialogue, increasing participation, and inclusion in these important subject matter areas will ensure inclusiveness. So, I urge all those leaders to always include different genders when discussing disability issues that affect PWDs.

We should empower women with disabilities not only to be involved in their society to raise awareness, but also to minimize the disability stigma and the myth of “you can’t do this or that because you have a disability”. Disability is not a barrier to achieving or being successful in life. Rather, stigma is the blockade to the many stumbling blocks PWDs and women with disabilities face. Let us continue to increase society’s knowledge to dismantle the typecasts and stigma that women with disabilities face in our society. Together, we move forward!

Ada Vandy Konneh