Government Urged to Recruit Women with Disabilities in Health Sector
News Updated: 05 January 2026 23:14 EAT
The Kenyan government has been called upon to prioritize the recruitment of women with disabilities within the health sector to better address the unique maternal and reproductive health challenges faced by women and girls with special needs.
According to This Ability Trust, a women-led non-governmental organization spearheading the Mama Siri project, there is a critical shortage of female medical professionals specifically trained to navigate the intersection of disability and reproductive rights. The organization contends that this gap in the workforce leads to the marginalization of patients with disabilities, who often face stigma or a lack of specialized care during pregnancy and when seeking reproductive health services.
Advocates argue that employing qualified women with disabilities in these roles would not only ensure more empathetic and effective service delivery but also fulfill the government's obligations under the Persons with Disabilities Act 2025.
This legislation mandates a five percent (5%) employment quota for persons with disabilities in public and private sectors. It emphasizes the need for disability-friendly communication and infrastructure in referral health institutions. By integrating these professionals into the health system, the Mama Siri project aims to shift the narrative from seeing women with disabilities as passive recipients of care to empowering them as leaders and providers within the healthcare landscape
Tags: Disability Act Disability Inclusion Editor's Pick Pwds Matters Disability
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Edith stacy
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