Girls with Disability in Africa: Accessing the Role and Opportunities of Media for Inclusive Development

Advanced technology is here to stay in the global world, affecting every sector of the society. There is no denying that Africa is following the trend of this development. However, it seems that the benefits are yet to be fully realised by persons with disability and especially girls with disability. Article 6 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities includes a special section for women and children with disabilities. Being a woman is one thing, being a child is another and being both together as a vulnerable sector in society is an additional issue. This is the position of girls, particularly in African societies. Their invisibility is also glaring in the technology divide, the approach of media and its effect on society. Girls with disability are rarely if ever spoken about, and when they are, it is negative and not in line with the provisions of human rights or the right to development. This chapter examines the perceptions of girls with disability and the media in Africa. It considers what, if any, legal framework exists on the issue, investigates the role of social media in this situation, the future and challenges, and works out an inclusive approach to girls with disability in development. The paper also examines the emerging practices of protecting the rights of persons with disability in some developed legal frameworks.