By Aminata Turay
The Network of Young Women with Disabilities, in collaboration with Sightsavers and other development partners, held a National Call-to-Action Policy Dialogue and Inclusive Action Forum on Friday, 5th December 2025, 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 barriers, and advocate for better 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 discussions, testimonies, and skits, participants highlighted social, educational, and economic challenges, urging that their voices shape national policies.
Madam Gondoe emphasised that women with disabilities are “powerful agents of change” despite barriers in education, employment, healthcare, and social participation. She stressed the importance of recognising their struggles and contributions, particularly in the wake of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities and called for an end to harmful narratives while reaffirming Sightsavers’ dedication to amplifying their voices.
The Minister of Social Welfare, Melrose Karminty, praised Sightsavers and the Network for creating a platform where young women can speak openly about violence and discrimination. She stressed that disability should never limit anyone’s potential and encouraged participants to continue using their voices to influence change.
Minister Karminty highlighted the significance of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, reminding the nation to recognise and support the abilities and contributions of women and girls living with disabilities. She reaffirmed the government’s commitment to inclusion, noting that Sierra Leone cannot progress if any group is left behind.
She further called for stronger collaboration between ministries, agencies, and development partners to address gaps in the Disability Act and improve protection for women with disabilities. The Minister thanked Sightsavers for their continued support and urged young women to keep advocating, assuring them that opportunities for participation in national development will continue to expand.
Representing the Embassy of Ireland, Carol Hannon praised Sightsavers’ leadership in centering young women with disabilities within national development initiatives. She highlighted Ireland’s commitment to ensuring adolescent girls and young women, including those with disabilities, are actively involved in decision-making processes and advocacy efforts.
Hannon commended the work of local disability organisations and young women activists, noting that their voices provide valuable lessons for building a more inclusive society. She reaffirmed Ireland’s commitment to gender equality and diversity, encouraging continued collaboration to ensure young women with disabilities are fully included in development processes.
Speaking on behalf of young women with disabilities, Daniella Garrick outlined key policy priorities, emphasising the urgent need for government action to ensure full inclusion and protection.
She noted that young women still face barriers in education, employment, healthcare, and participation in decision-making spaces, and that there is no dedicated national platform for them to feed policy recommendations directly into government processes.
Garrick called on the government and development partners to fully implement the Disability Act, strengthen safeguarding policies, ensure functional disability desks in all ministries, create economic opportunities and reserve leadership quotas for women and youth with disabilities, improve access to inclusive education and skills training, provide accessible health services, including information in Braille, plain language, and sign language and train health workers in disability and gender sensitivity.
The forum, spearheaded by Sightsavers, provided a rare space for young women to share experiences, highlight challenges, and advocate for meaningful change. Stakeholders collectively committed to taking concrete actions that amplify the voices of young women with disabilities, address barriers, and ensure their full inclusion in education, healthcare, and economic opportunities.