By Ebi Kesiena
Disability rights activists and other stakeholders have applauded the signing of the African Disability Protocol (ADP) by the federal government of Nigeria on February 13, 2023, a move seen as a significant step towards promoting the rights of people with disabilities.
The treaty put together with the support of international NGO Sightsavers has been described as the first legally binding instrument to protect the rights of people with disabilities in Africa.
The African Disability Protocol was adopted by the African Union in 2014 and came into force in 2018. It provides a comprehensive framework for the protection and promotion of the rights of people with disabilities in Africa, including the right to education, employment, healthcare, and accessibility.
Reacting to the signing of the treaty on Thursday in a statement on Thursday, the Country Director, Sightsavers Dr Sunday Isiyaku said the organisation through its Equal World campaign is working with partners across Africa to call on their governments to ratify the ADP, which needs 15 ratifications to become law.
He said, “Disability campaigners in these countries are asking their governments to join Angola, Burundi, Kenya, Mali and Rwanda and make the treaty legal for all. Sightsavers has been working closely with the Nigerian government to ensure the country’s commitment to the protocol. The final step after signing will be for the government to fully ratify the treaty”.
Isiyaku added, “We are delighted to have supported the government in signing the African Disability Protocol. This is a significant step towards creating a more inclusive society where the rights of people with disabilities are respected and protected. We look forward to working with the government and other partners to ensure that the protocol is fully implemented. We also hope this encourages more African governments to adopt the protocol.”
The statement says the signing of the ADP coincides with the one year anniversary of the Global Disability Summit, where last year the Nigerian government made wider commitments to advancing disability rights.
The Equal World campaign by Sightsavers is encouraging the government to use this opportunity to formally report back on their progress on their commitments to the summit secretariat.
These included commitments to assent the Disability Rights Law and to improve disability policy in education, accessible infrastructure, economic empowerment, gender rights, data collection and humanitarian response.
The Executive Secretary, National Commission for Persons with Disabilities James Lalu described the feat as historic moment for Nigeria and for people with disabilities across Africa.
According to Lalu, the signing of the African Disability Protocol demonstrates Nigeria’s commitment to promoting the rights of people with disabilities and ensuring that they are included and valued members of our society.
While about five countries have ratified the African Disability Protocol, 10 have signed but not ratified it. They include, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Gabon, Malawi, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, South Africa and Togo.
Sight savers, an international organisation with presence in over 30 countries is committed go ensuring the prevention of avoidable blindness and fight for the rights of people with other forms of disabilities.
