Leading Change and Championing Inclusion in Côte d’Ivoire: Anne Cécile Konan’s Advocacy for Women with Disabilities

By Yacine Djibo, Founder of Speak Up Africa

This International Women’s Day, we celebrate the women who spark transformation and drive meaningful change. One of these women is Anne Cécile Konan, President of the National Union of Disabled Women in Côte d’Ivoire (UNAFE-CI). She has spent nearly two decades advocating for the rights of women with disabilities, challenging societal norms, fighting for equal access to healthcare, and ensuring that the voices of disabled women are heard and respected.

In Côte d’Ivoire, where gender inequality and disability stigma run deep, Anne Cécile is a pioneering figure of transformation. Her leadership has enabled countless women to be part of the conversation on health, education, and social participation. Through her work, she has ensured that women with disabilities not only survive, they thrive.

A mission born from personal experience

Anne Cécile’s path to advocacy was shaped by her own lived experiences. She saw firsthand the deep barriers faced by disabled women, barriers that prevented them from accessing essential services, including health care. Her own struggles with accessibility motivated her to take action, not just for herself, but for all women like her.

“In our societies, people with disabilities are often excluded from activities and decision-making processes—disabled women even more so. They frequently fall victim to various forms of abuse, as their physical vulnerability is exploited. It is crucial that they find the strength and know the available support structures to report these abuses,” stated Anne Cécile Konan.

Her organization, UNAFE-CI, was created to fill this gap. Anne Cécile saw that while many programs supported women, few addressed the specific needs of women with disabilities. This drove her to push for change, starting with grassroots awareness campaigns and later influencing local and national health policies.

Partnering for progress with Voix EssentiELLES

Anne Cécile’s advocacy work reached a pivotal moment with the launch of Voix EssentiELLES, an initiative by Speak Up Africa designed to empower women-led organizations in West Africa. Through this initiative, Anne Cécile has been able to build stronger alliances with local authorities, religious leaders, and health professionals, all working together to tackle the health challenges faced by women with disabilities, especially malaria prevention.

With the support of Voix EssentiELLES, UNAFE-CI was able to expand its reach across different regions of the country, strengthening its impact at the local level.

“This initiative has enabled women to freely advocate for their social, economic, and political inclusion, even participating in political campaigns to make their voices and specific needs heard. They now know that their concerns are considered in local government decision-making processes. Witnessing this transformation has been profoundly fulfilling for us,” said Anne Cécile Konan.

Beyond her community advocacy, Anne Cécile worked with the World Health Organization (WHO) to develop a toolkit that helps make health systems more inclusive for people with disabilities. This resource supports policymakers and healthcare providers in improving access to healthcare for all.

Voix EssentiELLES, with its focus on malaria, which disproportionately affects women in the region, provided Anne Cécile with the platform and resources to advocate for the inclusion of disabled women in national health programs. While malaria mortality rates in Côte d’Ivoire have dropped by 78% from 2000 to 2022, organizations like UNAFE-CI have played an important role in ensuring that women with disabilities are included in malaria prevention and treatment efforts.

Changing the narrative: When women lead, communities thrive

Anne Cécile’s work is a powerful reminder that when women lead, communities benefit.    Studies show that women make up 70% of the global healthcare workforce but hold only 25% of leadership roles. However, when more women are in leadership, health outcomes improve, organizations perform better financially, and innovation increases.[1] Her approach has always been to create inclusive solutions that address the intersection of disability and gender. Her efforts to ensure that health programs include disabled women are transforming not only health systems but also broader societal structures. Anne Cécile’s leadership exemplifies the strength of women who challenge exclusion and rewrite the rules for their communities.

Anne Cécile firmly believes that access to healthcare goes beyond simply receiving services; it is about ensuring that women with disabilities have the right to be heard and to actively shape the world around them. She emphasizes that true progress cannot be made without inclusion. This conviction has guided her efforts to ensure that women with disabilities are not just beneficiaries of health programs, but also active leaders who influence the policies and decisions that directly impact their lives.

A path forward

As we celebrate the transformative work of Anne Cécile Konan, we must recognize that the journey toward true inclusion is ongoing. Women like Anne Cécile Konan are pioneering the way for those who have long been left in the shadows. Her story is more than just a call to action, it is a testament to the profound impact of investing in women’s leadership, particularly among marginalized communities.

Initiatives like Voix EssentiELLES showcase the extraordinary potential of women-led movements. When we support these women, we’re not simply addressing immediate health challenges, we’re laying the foundation for a future where every woman, regardless of her circumstances, can lead, thrive, and inspire change in her community.

A future shaped by women’s leadership

Anne Cécile Konan’s journey underscores a simple but powerful truth: when women lead, communities flourish. Her work is proof that inclusion is not a favor but a necessity. This International Women’s Day, let us recognize and uplift the women who are reshaping their communities with strength and determination. Because when we invest in women, we invest in a brighter future for all.

[1] https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/feb/04/bmj-study-calls-for-maximisation-of-womens-potential-in-healthcare