Geneva, Switzerland – Mrs. Patience Ogolo Dickson, founder and Executive Director of the Advocacy for Women with Disabilities Initiatives (AWWDI) in Nigeria, has made a compelling case for the political inclusion of women and gender-diverse persons with disabilities at the United Nations.
Dickson participated actively in the 784th Meeting of the 32nd Session of the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) in Geneva, Switzerland.
As a respected panelist during the Day of General Discussions on the General Comment on Article 29, Dickson drew attention to the multiple layers of marginalization faced by women and gender-diverse individuals with disabilities. She stressed that their meaningful participation in political life is vital for building inclusive and democratic societies. According to her, when persons with disabilities are involved in politics, it helps to break down societal barriers and challenge harmful stereotypes, fostering broader social acceptance and a deeper understanding of disability issues.
She emphasized that political participation for these groups cannot happen without first addressing foundational needs such as access to education, healthcare, economic opportunities, legal recognition, and freedom from violence. These needs are often shaped by intersecting forms of discrimination, including ableism, sexism, racism, and deeply entrenched patriarchal norms.
In her remarks, Dickson highlighted the stark underrepresentation of women in Nigerian politics. She noted that only four women currently serve in the Senate out of 109 members, while just 17 women sit in the 366-member House of Representatives. Alarmingly, there is no representation of persons with disabilities—especially women with disabilities—in the Nigerian legislature, a gap that severely affects decision-making processes related to disability and gender issues.
She recounted the experience of a Nigerian woman with a disability who attempted to contest for a parliamentary seat twice but was unsuccessful due to a variety of obstacles. These included physical inaccessibility at political events, societal attitudes doubting the leadership capabilities of women with disabilities, the financial burden of campaigning, and safety concerns from attending meetings held late at night. Additionally, the high cost of nomination forms made it nearly impossible for women with disabilities to afford to contest in elections, especially given the systemic barriers they face in accessing education and employment.
While the candidate did not win, she continues to advocate tirelessly for the political inclusion of persons with disabilities in Nigeria. Dickson also pointed out that despite having a legal framework in place, including the 2022 amendment to the Electoral Act, implementation remains a major challenge.
Dickson urged the CRPD Committee to consider these realities as it drafts its general comments on Article 29. She advocated for concrete measures that would ensure more inclusive political systems, such as creating specific seats for women with disabilities in legislative bodies, ensuring that political and electoral spaces are accessible, and increasing public awareness about the rights of women with disabilities. She also emphasized the need for leadership training, financial support mechanisms, and strong legal protections against gender-based violence and harassment in political settings.
Dickson concluded her statement by reinforcing that the involvement of women and gender-diverse persons with disabilities in political decision-making goes beyond representation—it is essential to achieving equitable and inclusive governance. Her message was a powerful call for action and recognition, resonating strongly with the international community gathered in Geneva.
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