ABSTRACT
The disproportionate marginalisation of persons with disabilities by type and severity is accentuated for young persons with disabilities, and girls in particular, because as noted by Gilligan (2016) they often have fewer opportunities and are more dependent on their families and caregivers. Disability is profoundly gendered and the United Nations (UN) Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) recognises that women and girls with disabilities ‘are often at greater risk, both within and outside the home, of violence, injury or abuse, neglect or negligent treatment, maltreatment or exploitation’ (UN, 2006, p. 3). This is the case in the West African country of Sierra Leone, where most young persons with disabilities commonly face exclusion in both the public and private arena. Malinga and Gumbo (2016) note that non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and civil society organisations (CSOs) can and do play an important role in raising disability awareness and promoting inclusive policy and practice through advocacy, even in contexts of widespread socio-economic insecurity and constrained state supported social services. However, persons with disabilities (including youth) are also activists in changing their situations (Morley & Croft, 2011).
