DODOMA: STAKEHOLDERS have called on the government to accelerate the ratification of the African Disability Protocol (ADP) to strengthen the protection of persons with disabilities and ensure their rights are upheld.
The ADP serves as a legal framework for African Union (AU) member states to develop disability-inclusive laws and policies tailored to their national contexts.
Adopted in January 2018 during the 30th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly, the protocol is yet to be ratified by Tanzania.
The appeal was made recently in Dodoma by representatives of organisations advocating for persons with disabilities and journalists during a training session organised by Sight Savers to enhance awareness of the protocol’s importance.
Speaking on the protocol’s benefits, Director of a non-governmental organisation working on disability issues, Advocate Gideon Mandes emphasised its role in securing equal opportunities for persons with disabilities in education, employment, healthcare, economic empowerment and accessible infrastructure.
“ I t a l s o pro – motes political and public participation for persons with disabilities, along with specific protections for women girls and children with disabilities,” he said.
He noted that Tanzania’s ratification process requires consultations between the Union Government and the Revolu- tionary Government of Zanzibar before moving forward. Similarly, a representative of the Tanzania Federation of Disabled People’s Organisations (SHIVYAWATA) Ms Sophia Mhando urged the government to prioritise the protocol’s ratification, stressing that it would help integrate healthcare rights for women with disabilities into national policies and legal frameworks.
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Meanwhile, Sight Savers’ Eye Health Project Coordinator, Ms Upendo Minja, highlighted the crucial role of the media in advocating for the protocol’s ratification and increasing public awareness of disability rights.
“So far, 16 countries have ratified the protocol. Through media engagement, the public will better understand its significance, which could e n c o u r a g e the government to take necessary steps,” she said.
On her part, Sight Savers’ Policy, Advocacy and Influencing Officer for East, Central and Southern Africa, Ms Neema Kalole, underscored that ratification would reinforce Tanzania’s commitment to advancing disability rights across the continent.
“For example, the killings of persons with albinism are a reality in some African nations. This protocol directly addresses such issues and provides solutions suited to our regional context,” she said.
Ms Kalole further pointed out that the protocol aligns with Tanzania’s ongoing efforts to prioritise disability rights, including the review of the 2004 National Disability Policy.
She said its ratification would enhance advocacy efforts and demonstrate the country’s dedication to eliminating human rights violations against persons with disabilities.
The ADP is uniquely tailored to the African context, ensuring that no one is left behind while addressing specific concerns affecting people with disabilities across the continent.
