{
  "id": 16773443,
  "title": "BOOK EXTRACT: Disability justice in Africa — a radical shift from silos to solidarity is urgent",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/27/book-extract-disability-justice-in-africa-a-radical-shift-from-silos",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-27T17:48:51.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Maverick",
    "slug": "daily-maverick",
    "url": "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-10-27-disability-justice-in-africa-a-radical-shift-from-silos-to-solidarity-is-urgent/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In her essay, Mildred Omino, a disability activist from Kenya, discusses the need for a reimagining of disability activism in Africa. Growing up near Lake Victoria in a rural area of Kisumu County, Omino was born with polio, which led to a life of navigating various challenges related to disability. She recalls the limited options for education, as mainstream schools were unable to provide the necessary infrastructure and facilities for individuals with physical disabilities like herself.\n\nOmino's activism began during her final year of high school when the school principal announced that all students with a list of names must leave the exam room to collect unpaid fees. This experience, particularly the demeaning words \"fly\" and \"crawl\" directed at students with mobility disabilities, ignited her passion for advocacy.\n\nOmino identifies the silos within disability activism as a significant issue, as these divisions often overlook the intersections between disability and other social justice issues. She argues that climate activism must embrace the diversity of people with disabilities, particularly in light of the impacts of global warming on women with disabilities in Kenya. These women are further impoverished and marginalized due to the lack of consideration for their unique needs in climate change discussions.\n\nThe chapter also highlights the global prevalence of disability, with 1.3 billion people – or 16% of the world's population – experiencing significant disability. This makes disabled persons the largest global minority, with 80% of them residing in developing countries, primarily Africa and Asia. The World Health Organization estimates that women with disabilities face even greater challenges, including higher literacy rates, unemployment rates, and a higher prevalence of gender-based violence, sexual abuse, and neglect.\n\nOmino believes that disability activism must move beyond silos and embrace a more inclusive approach that addresses the diverse needs of people with disabilities, particularly in the context of climate change and other social justice issues.",
  "summary": "Rethinking Activism in Africa: Voices and Visionaries for Social Justice and Human Rights is a new book, edited by well-known activist and writer Mark Heywood. It contains unique and moving essays from writers in eight countries across Africa. In this series, Daily Maverick is publishing extracts from four essays.",
  "key_points": [
    "Mildred Omino, Kenyan disability activist, calls for reimagining activism in Africa",
    "Silos within disability activism overlook intersections with other social justice issues",
    "Climate activism must consider unique needs of women with disabilities in Kenya"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}