Our submission to the CRPD Committee on addressing multiple and intersectional forms of discrimination against women and girls with disabilities

Early in the year, together with United Disabled Persons of Kenya and with technical support from the International Commission of Jurists, Africa Regional Programme, we made a submission to the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD Committee) on the draft guidelines on addressing multiple and intersectional forms of discrimination against women and girls with disabilities.

Our submission can be read online on this link: https://www.ohchr.org/en/calls-for-input/2025/call-written-submissions-draft-guidelines-addressing-multiple-and

Our submission was largely informed by the feedback provided in a forum we convened in September 2025. The forum brought together twenty-five (25) women and girls with disabilities who shared their lived experiences of discrimination across different areas of their lives. 

Diverse experiences

Our submission describes these diverse experiences where women and girls with disabilities are exposed to multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination and are more excluded from the access and enjoyment of their fundamental rights and freedoms.

Many of our participants explained that discrimination is often subtle, normalized, and not immediately recognizable. Some shared that they only realized later in life that the experiences they had endured, such as being ignored, denied job opportunities, or being belittled, were forms of discrimination. They said these experiences are rarely spoken about, and many women bottle up their feelings, which leads to long-term emotional harm.

Across different sectors, participants emphasized that discrimination against women and girls with disabilities is structural, intersectional, and persistent.

The areas we highlighted in our submission

The following areas are highlighted: Accessing education; accessing justice; accessing healthcare services; accessing employment; family and society; public transport; finance and economic empowerment; public participation and politics; and land and property rights.

In our submission we also proposed some remedies as well as sharing some good practices. We for example noted that the recent enactment of the Persons with Disabilities Act 2025,  promises to be a beacon of hope to many women and girls with disabilities.  If properly implemented, the law will address many of the challenges raised by the women and girls with disabilities in Kenya. 

For instance, the law identifies denial of reasonable accommodation as a form of discrimination;  provides for legal capacity;  inclusive education;  right to admission in schools;  right to marry and form a family;  and right to health including sexual and reproductive health rights.

Please read our submission on this link. You will scroll down towards the end of the page and click on The Kenya Network of Women and Girls with Disabilities. 


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