Advancing the Rights of Persons With Disabilities in The Gambia

“Without a proper education or career prospects, people living with disabilities in The Gambia are unlikely to fully integrate into society or earn good wages, and thus putting them at further risk of exclusion and poverty.” Chairperson, National Human Rights Commission.

The National Human Rights Commission, in partnership with the Gambia Federation for the Disabled, organised the National Forum on Disability Rights in The Gambia, held from October 25-26, 2023, at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre.

Persons with Disabilities in The Gambia continue to face serious challenges in the enjoyment of their human rights, including stigmatization in the society and discrimination in accessing services such as health, education and employment.
Their lack of education and vocational and livelihood skills have exacerbated poverty amongst them, while their exclusion from key public sectors and minimal inclusion in governance have severely hampered their contribution to the socio-economic development of the country. Women and children with disabilities also suffer abuse and exploitation in their families and in the communities.

This two-day Forum raised awareness on the rights of Persons of Disabilities in The Gambia and what environmental, institutional, community and social changes ought to take place so that Persons with Disabilities can live in dignity and without stigmatization and discrimination.
In various panel discussions, State actors and disability rights activists deliberated on the level of implementation of the Persons with Disabilities Act 2021, including progress and challenges registered, and what strategies should be put in place to accelerate the effective enforcement and implementation of the Act. Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies were reminded of the obligations imposed on them by the Act, including the mainstreaming of issues of disabilities in their services and programmes.