Ouagadougou: A workshop to break down the barriers of exclusion for people living with disabilities was organized by the regional coordination of organizations of people with disabilities in the Nando region in L©o on March 25 and 26, 2026. This session aimed to strengthen the socio-political inclusion of this vulnerable group in the Sissili province.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the workshop was chaired by the High Commissioner of the Sissili province, T©wend© Isaac Sia, and gathered customary authorities, education stakeholders, decentralized state services, and civil society organizations. The main goal was to shift the societal and decision-making paradigm regarding disability to ensure its consideration in local planning documents.
Participants engaged in three major modules covering the rights and specific needs of people with disabilities, relevant legislative texts in Burkina Faso, and the mechanisms of inclusive education and development. Richard Ou©draogo, the provincial coordinator, expressed concerns over the continued marginalization of people with disabilities and the challenge of obtaining accurate statistics due to social stigmas.
A partial census in 2023 recorded nearly 80 young people with disabilities aged 0 to 25 in the region, but Ou©draogo suggested this figure is likely underestimated due to societal pressures leading families to hide their children. Victorine Guissou, regional coordinator, emphasized the necessity of including people with disabilities in decision-making processes, highlighting their frequent exclusion from local projects.
Orokia Napon, a participant with a motor disability, highlighted her daily struggles with accessibility and prejudice. She stressed the need for autonomy and access to basic services, urging that the training leads to tangible changes, allowing individuals with disabilities to be seen as contributors to development rather than burdens.
The workshop concluded with a significant decision by High Commissioner T©wend© Isaac Sia to integrate the provincial coordination of people with disabilities as a formal member of the Provincial Consultation Framework (CCP). This initiative was supported by technical and financial assistance from a partner and the Liliane Foundation.