Breaking Barriers: Sightsavers Empowers Young Women with Disabilities.

The Network of Young Women with Disabilities, in collaboration with Sightsavers and other development partners, on Friday, 5th December 2025, held a national Call-to-Action Policy Dialogue and Inclusive Action Forum at the Atlantic Hotel in Freetown.

The event, themed “Advancing Inclusion for Young Women with Disabilities – End Digital Violence for All Women and Girls,” brought together young women from across Sierra Leone to share experiences, highlight systemic barriers, and advocate for equitable access to services and protections.

Sightsavers Country Director, Madam Tiangay Gondoe, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to disability inclusion, describing the forum as a space where young women who were once hesitant to speak now confidently advocate for themselves.

Through panel discussions, personal testimonies, and dramatic skits, participants highlighted social, educational, and economic challenges—calling for their voices to be reflected in national policy frameworks.

Madam Gondoe emphasised that women with disabilities are “powerful agents of change” despite existing barriers in education, employment, healthcare, and social participation.

She underscored the need to amplify their voices, especially in the days following the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, and called for an end to harmful narratives and stereotypes.

Minister of Social Welfare, Mrs Melrose Karminty, commended Sightsavers and the Network for creating a safe and inclusive platform where young women can speak openly about violence, discrimination, and exclusion.

She stressed that disability must never be viewed as a limitation and encouraged participants to continue using their voices to influence national transformation.

Minister Karminty also reflected on the significance of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, urging Sierra Leoneans to recognise and celebrate the abilities and contributions of women and girls with disabilities.

She reaffirmed government’s commitment to inclusivity, stating that Sierra Leone cannot progress if any group is left behind. She further called for stronger collaboration among ministries, agencies, and development partners to address gaps in the Disability Act and improve protections for women with disabilities.

She thanked Sightsavers for its continued partnership and assured young women that opportunities for participation in national development would continue to grow.

Representing the Embassy of Ireland, Carol Hannon praised Sightsavers’ leadership in ensuring that young women with disabilities are placed at the centre of national development conversations. She highlighted Ireland’s commitment to supporting adolescent girls and young women—including those with disabilities—to actively participate in decision-making and advocacy processes.

Hannon also commended local disability organisations and young women activists, noting their lexperiences and valuable insights for shaping a more inclusive society.

She reaffirmed Ireland’s commitment to gender equality and diversity, encouraging sustained collaboration to ensure young women with disabilities are fully included in development planning.

Speaking on behalf of young women with disabilities, Daniella Garrick outlined a set of key policy priorities, stressing the urgent need for government action to guarantee full inclusion and protection.

She noted that young women continue to face considerable barriers in education, employment, healthcare, and participation in leadership spaces, and highlighted the absence of a dedicated national platform where their policy recommendations can be formally channelled to government bodies.

Garrick urged the government and development partners to fully implement the Disability Act, strengthen safeguarding policies, and ensure functional disability desks in all ministries.

She also called for expanded economic opportunities, leadership quotas for women and youth with disabilities, and improved access to inclusive education and skills training.

Additionally, she emphasised the need for accessible health services—including information in Braille, plain language, and sign language—and for enhanced disability and gender-sensitivity training for health workers.

The forum, spearheaded by Sightsavers, provided a rare and empowering space for young women to express their experiences, share challenges, and advocate for meaningful and lasting change.

Stakeholders collectively committed to taking concrete steps to amplify their voices, dismantle existing barriers, and ensure full inclusion in education, healthcare, and economic opportunities.