Lois Auta, the Founder and Global President of the Network of Women with Disabilities has called for a shift from tokenistic gestures to a rights-based approach to disability inclusion, during her recent participation at the Global Disability Summit held in Germany.
Speaking as a panelist and contributor at one of the key sessions of the summit, the Nigerian advocate emphasized that the inclusion of persons with disabilities must be recognized as a fundamental human right rather than an act of charity or goodwill.
In an interview featured on Welt-Sichten.Org, Auta reiterated the urgent need for the global community to fully implement the Amman-Berlin Declaration, a commitment to advancing disability rights and inclusive development.
She also highlighted the importance of integrating key international frameworks into national and local policies, including the Six Principles for Inclusive Development developed by Sightsavers and Inclusive Futures, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), and the African Disability Protocol of the African Union.
As part of her advocacy, Auta issued a clarion call to Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) across the world to actively hold governments and relevant stakeholders accountable to the “15 for 15” agenda — a demand that 15% of every plan, policy, programme, and process be intentionally allocated to benefit the global population of persons with disabilities, who constitute an estimated 15% of the world’s population.
Her contributions at the summit further cement her position as a leading voice in the global disability rights movement, amplifying the call for meaningful inclusion, accountability, and the full realization of rights for persons with disabilities everywhere.
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