On the occasion of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (December 3), several voices in Senegal spoke out against the daily realities and obstacles hindering people with disabilities' access to their fundamental rights. Alongside NGOs, associations, and the Ministry of Family and Solidarity, this advocacy emphasized the urgent need to break down isolation and strengthen protection.

Isolation, prejudice and lack of services

The speakers emphasized that people with disabilities, particularly young girls, face a critical lack of safe spaces, reporting mechanisms, and specialized support centers. The difficulties are numerous: communication barriers (lack of Braille and sign language), a shortage of qualified staff, and limited financial resources.

These obstacles are compounded by the negative perception of Senegalese society, which sometimes considers them less competent, thus accentuating the feeling of exclusion.

Political commitment and the urgency of accessibility

The Minister for Family Affairs, Maïmouna Dieye, reiterated the importance of the law of January 10, 2020, which protects women and girls with disabilities. She stressed the urgent need to develop accessible resources (Braille, sign language, audio) to guarantee access to information and protective measures.

For his part, the mayor of Ouakam, Abdoul Aziz Gueye, declared that "Accessibility is a right." Affirming his commitment, he promised to make Ouakam a laboratory for inclusion, to accelerate the accessibility of public infrastructure, and to increase awareness campaigns in schools and neighborhoods. He praised the work of the Senegalese Federation of Associations of Persons with Disabilities and the AFO, which he described as "guardians of rights."

The Federation's president emphasized the need for direct collaboration with people with disabilities. "We cannot build inclusion without listening to those who experience disability on a daily basis." He called for strengthening partnerships and systematically involving specialized organizations in the development of public policies.

All the interventions converged on the same principle: leaving no one behind. To build an inclusive Senegal, stakeholders called for guaranteeing accessibility, adapting protection services, and transforming awareness into concrete actions.