Kenya Network of Women and Girls with Disabilities

As part of our Ford Foundation funded grant on engaging young girls with disabilities (and boys) on their leadership trajectories and civic engagement, we had the honour to meet learners in tertiary institutions as part of our project participants. The learners, young women with diverse disabilities, are pursuing different degree courses at both the University of Nairobi and Kenyatta University. We see their participation in the project as being really important as they join others from primary schools, as well as a High school. At Network level we are intentional about making these intergenerational connections among different age groups of women with disabilities, if only it can play a part in supporting more engagement by women with disabilities in leadership opportunities. We base all this in the context of underrepresentation of women with disabilities in governance and leadership.   This meeting was especially inspirational as it vividly showed us the journeys that our...

Commentary by Elizabeth Ombati and Jane Kihungi Many activists and human rights defenders spend a considerable amount of time on travel. The disability mantra has always been nothing about us without us, signifying the critical importance especially for activists with disabilities to be in spaces where decisions are made that affect the lives of people with disabilities.  Many activists have often decried global travel experiences; with many calling the processes surrounding this travel as humiliating. This is more so when it comes to the acquisition of visas. Visa restrictions for activists from the Global South is not new to many activists. Visa restrictions is one of the many ways that meaningful participation by activists and human rights defenders in global convenings is hampered.  But it is not the only one. For activists with disabilities, it is often double tragedy, especially when it comes to airplanes. In March this year, I (Jane) was invited to take part in the 69th...