ISLAMABAD: On this International Women’s Day, Abia Akram has a message for young women with disabilities: do not hide.
Born with a physical mobility impairment, the 40-year-old Pakistani activist has spent more than two decades advocating for the rights of women with disabilities while working with governments and international organizations to push for greater inclusion and a rights-based approach to disability.
For Akram, International Women’s Day is also an opportunity to challenge stigma and encourage women with disabilities to speak openly about their identities and experiences.
“I would say disability is nothing to worry about, and it’s not an issue that we need to address,” she said. “It’s just a thing to celebrate it, with all its diversity and impact. There’s no need to worry about disability, just enjoy life with it.”
Akram’s advocacy journey began in 1997, when public perceptions of disability in the region were often shaped by stereotypes representing two extremes.
