The platform was established during a regional scientific conference on “Breaking Barriers: Disability-Inclusive Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights in Africa,” held in Dar es Salaam on 16–17 June. Despite growing recognition of the rights of persons with disabilities, women, men, and young people with disabilities continue to face significant barriers in accessing quality sexual and reproductive health information and services. "Disability-inclusive sexual and reproductive health and rights is not merely a health issue. It is a human rights issue. It is a development issue. It is a gender equality issue. It is a justice issue. And ultimately, it is an issue of human dignity," said Anjeline Okola, programme coordinator of the World Council of Churches Ecumenical Disability Advocates Network. The conference brought together governments, faith communities, researchers, health institutions, development partners, and organizations of persons with disabilities to share evidence, practical experiences, and innovations aimed at improving access to sexual and reproductive health services for persons with disabilities. Jane Kihugi, executive director of Women Challenged to Challenge in Kenya, reflected on the barriers that women with disabilities continue to face. "The problem is not our disability—it is the system that is not inclusive. When services are accessible and respectful, we are fully able to make decisions about our bodies and our lives," said Kihugi. Faith leaders at the conference affirmed the role of religious communities in promoting inclusion and addressing stigma. Sheikh Othman Mohamed Saleh, director of planning and administration at the Mufti's Office in Zanzibar, reflected on the role of faith communities in advancing dignity and participation. "Faith-based communities can challenge stigma, create safe spaces for dialogue, and remind us that every person belongs. They can help move communities away from pity or charity towards dignity, participation, and justice," he said. The gathering also highlighted the importance of partnerships in advancing disability-inclusive sexual and reproductive health and rights. Tomi Lounio, manager and deputy head of mission at the Embassy of Finland in Tanzania, noted that sustainable progress requires collaboration across sectors and the leadership of persons with disabilities. "Disability-inclusive sexual and reproductive health and rights cannot be advanced by one actor alone. It requires cooperation, listening, practical solutions and, above all, the leadership of persons with disabilities themselves," said Lounio. Participants committed to operationalizing the regional platform through regular knowledge-sharing forums, collaborative research, policy dialogue, joint advocacy, and the documentation of promising practices. The platform will also promote stronger partnerships among governments, academic institutions, faith communities, organizations of persons with disabilities, and development partners to accelerate disability-inclusive sexual and reproductive health and rights programming across Africa. The conference was jointly organized by the World Council of Churches Ecumenical Disability Advocates Network, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania, Tanzania Federation of Organisations of Persons with Disabilities, Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Mission, and United Nations Population Fund Tanzania. | 
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