New York, USA – March 2025 – The global fight for gender equality and the inclusion of women with disabilities gained momentum at the recently concluded Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) Beijing+30, held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. Among the key voices at this prestigious gathering was Mrs. Lois Auta, the Executive Director of Cedar Seeds Foundation and President of the Network for Women with Disabilities (NWD), who made a strong case for the inclusion of women with disabilities in policies and decision-making at all levels.
Representing the Network for Women with Disabilities, Mrs. Auta was delegated by the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and sponsored by Sightsavers Nigeria Country Office, Kaduna, and the Disability Rights Fund – Nigeria. Her participation at CSW69 underscored the importance of amplifying the voices of women with disabilities on the global stage.
A Powerful Advocacy for Inclusion
At the heart of her contributions, Mrs. Auta challenged the status quo, highlighting the persistent exclusion of women with disabilities in global development agendas. She passionately emphasized the need for world leaders, policymakers, and international organizations to move beyond rhetoric and take concrete steps to ensure full inclusion.
“For far too long, women with disabilities have been left out of key policy discussions. We must change this narrative. Every agenda, every policy, and every practice must be inclusive of women with disabilities. Our voices matter, and our rights must be upheld,” she stated.
Her remarks resonated with participants, sparking important conversations on intersectionality—the multiple layers of discrimination faced by women with disabilities due to both their gender and disability.
Global Collaboration for Greater Impact
CSW69 Beijing+30 provided a platform for feminist leaders, government representatives, activists, and civil society organizations to reflect on progress made since the landmark Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action of 1995, while identifying gaps that still need urgent attention.
Throughout the event, Mrs. Auta engaged in high-level discussions, sharing best practices from Nigeria and Africa on how to advance disability-inclusive gender policies. She also collaborated with global disability rights advocates, exploring opportunities to strengthen networks and forge new alliances that will drive meaningful change.
She applauded the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs for recognizing the importance of disability inclusion and thanked her sponsors, Sightsavers Nigeria and the Disability Rights Fund – Nigeria, for making her participation possible.
“This journey would not have been possible without your unwavering support. Your commitment to disability inclusion has made it possible for me to be here, advocating for the millions of women with disabilities who deserve to be heard,” she expressed with gratitude.
Women with Disabilities: The Time for Action is Now
Mrs. Auta’s presence at CSW69 was not just symbolic; it was a call to action. She urged governments, international agencies, and private sector stakeholders to prioritize disability-inclusive development by:
- Ensuring Representation – Women with disabilities must be included in all levels of decision-making, from grassroots leadership to international policymaking.
- Implementing Inclusive Policies – Governments must adopt and enforce policies that protect and promote the rights of women with disabilities.
- Providing Equal Opportunities – Access to education, healthcare, employment, and political participation must be guaranteed for women with disabilities.
- Ending Gender-Based Violence – Women with disabilities face higher risks of violence and abuse. Stronger legal frameworks and support systems are needed to address this.
Her advocacy aligns with the broader theme of CSW69 Beijing+30, which focused on accelerating progress toward gender equality and ensuring that no woman—especially those with disabilities—is left behind.
A Step Forward for Disability Rights
As the world reflects on the commitments made at CSW69, Mrs. Auta’s bold advocacy stands as a reminder that the fight for gender equality must be intersectional. Without addressing the unique challenges faced by women with disabilities, the goal of a truly inclusive society will remain unattainable.
Her participation at the event not only amplified the voices of women with disabilities from Nigeria but also reinforced the message that disability rights are human rights—and they deserve global recognition and action.
With leaders like Lois Auta leading the charge, the future looks promising for women with disabilities worldwide. But the work is far from over. The world must listen, act, and ensure that the commitments made at CSW69 Beijing+30 translate into tangible progress for all women, regardless of their abilities.
