International Day of Persons with Disabilities: Beyond the Classroom Foundation Urges Inclusion of Girls with Disabilities in Safety and Advocacy Conversations

As the world observes International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the Beyond the Classroom Foundation (BTCF) is calling on civil society organizations, schools, workplaces, and community programs to ensure that all initiatives on girls’ safety, including online safety, are inclusive of girls with disabilities. BTCF emphasizes that the ongoing 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, which started on 25 November, presents a critical moment to reaffirm this commitment.

During a Safer Girls Program session held in the Kabusa community on Tuesday, 2 December, Raquel Kasham Daniel, Executive Director of BTCF, highlighted the urgent need to address the unique vulnerabilities faced by girls with disabilities:

“We are already days into the 16 Days of Activism, and it is essential that all the conversations and interventions we are having with girls, whether in schools, communities, or workplaces, are fully inclusive. Girls with disabilities face specific barriers and risks that often leave them overlooked in safety programs. We must ensure that they are seen, heard, and protected. Every girl deserves access to knowledge, tools, and support that enable her to stay safe, navigate online spaces confidently, and thrive.”

BTCF noted that inclusive approaches to safety education not only protect girls from abuse and exploitation but also empower them to advocate for their rights, participate fully in education, and engage confidently in digital and offline spaces. The Foundation encouraged non-profits, civil society organizations, schools, and policymakers to take proactive steps to review and strengthen their programs during the ongoing activism period, ensuring that no girl is left behind.

“Inclusion is not optional, it is fundamental to building safer homes, safer schools, safer communities, and ultimately, safer girls,” Ms. Daniel emphasized.

The Foundation further stressed that programs addressing online safety, gender-based violence, and personal protection must incorporate accessible communication, adaptive teaching strategies, and engagement methods that meet the needs of girls with physical, sensory, or cognitive disabilities. By doing so, stakeholders can create environments where all girls can learn, express themselves, and participate fully without fear or exclusion.

BTCF remains committed to advancing its Safer Girls Approach, which promotes holistic safety through awareness, advocacy, mentorship, and community engagement. By focusing on inclusivity, the Foundation seeks to ensure that the 16 Days of Activism serve not just as a symbolic observance but as a tangible opportunity to transform the way communities protect and empower girls with disabilities, leaving no one behind.