Sharon

Sharon is a passionate disability inclusion expert and certified software engineer. Beyond her corporate work, she co-founded the Youth with Disability Development Forum in Kenya, an initiative dedicated to equipping young people with disabilities with basic digital skills.

“In Kenya, women with disabilities face many painful challenges. They face discrimination at many levels – cultural, political, social and even within families. We need inclusion, respect and equal chances so that women with disabilities can live with dignity and contribute to a better future.

“In my own community, I have witnessed women and girls with disabilities being forced to undergo female genital mutilation. Harmful cultural practices continue to hurt them. I have also seen that many women with disabilities are hidden in houses because some communities believe that disability is connected to witchcraft.

“I have also witnessed women with disabilities being sexually abused, with their rights ignored. Some are rejected in marriage simply because they have a disability. I once saw a woman being mocked, given nicknames and spoken about badly behind her back just because of her albinism. These things are very sad and unfair.

“I believe inclusion is the key to progress. Inclusion means dignity, acceptance and equal chances for all. We need to raise awareness so that women, girls and young people with disabilities are treated fairly and not left behind.

“When it comes to leadership, especially in Kenya’s executive arm of government, women with disabilities are completely left out. Their voices are missing where decisions are made.

“In education, children with disabilities should learn in the same classroom as others, without stigma. Instead of separating them into special schools, we need integrated classrooms with trained teachers, proper materials and equipment that support everyone.

“In employment, inclusion means workplaces that respect our abilities. It means giving reasonable support like ramps and proper spaces for wheelchairs, so people with disabilities can work with dignity and feel valued. Accessibility is not charity; it is a right. When everyone can participate, society grows stronger, fairer and more united.

“But young people with disabilities are often left out of decision-making. Many times, leaders think decisions should only be made by people without disabilities, so they do not invite us to meetings or give us space to share our ideas. This creates stigma and makes our voices invisible.

“Another reason is a lack of accessibility. Most meetings and community gatherings are held in places that are not friendly to people with disabilities – no ramps, no sign language interpreters and no accessible materials. This means even when we want to participate, we face barriers that make it hard for us to join or be fully involved.

“Technology can play a big role in breaking barriers. Assistive devices, digital platforms and ICT training can give people with disabilities the tools to build their future. I have seen lives change when people with disabilities are given access to technology.

“If I could speak to world leaders, I would tell them that inclusion must start with listening. People with disabilities, especially young people, women and girls, need to be at the table when decisions are made. Do not decide for us without us. Our voices matter and our experiences can help shape better solutions for everyone.

“Lastly, I would ask leaders to invest in awareness and technology. Leaders must fight stigma through education, so people with disabilities are respected and treated with dignity. Technology should be used to break barriers, giving us tools to learn, work and connect. With real inclusion, the world will be fairer and no one will be left behind.”