I am currently working with Field Ready as a Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) Officer. My work focuses on supporting more inclusive and accessible approaches, and I am also involved in disability and youth advocacy across Fiji and the Pacific.

I work closely with the Pacific Disability Forum, Pacific Youth Council and the Pacific Girl Program under Pacific Women Lead. I have also had the opportunity to work with UN agencies, including UNFPA and UNICEF. I am also one of the co-chairs of the Commonwealth Children and Youth Disability Network (CCYDN).

I am very passionate about disability rights, accessibility and inclusion, especially making sure that young people with disabilities have a voice and are meaningfully included in decisions that affect their lives. Through my work and advocacy, I have seen that there are still many barriers for young people with disabilities, and there is a real need for more representation at the grassroots, national, regional and global levels.

For me, it is important that young people with disabilities are not only invited to the conversation, but are given the space and opportunity to lead, contribute and be part of decision-making. I believe that young people with disabilities have a lot to contribute, and their lived experiences and voices need to be recognised.

I am looking forward to continuing to learn, connect and work alongside young people, disability organisations, governments and partners across the Pacific and Commonwealth to help create a more inclusive and accessible future for everyone.

Md. Jahirul Islam is a disability rights advocate, researcher, and social entrepreneur from Bangladesh. He is the Asia Regional Youth Representative of the Commonwealth Children and Youth Disability Network (CCYDN) and Founder of TYM Inklusion Bangladesh Foundation (TIBF). His work focuses on disability-inclusive development, accessibility, financial inclusion, social protection, and meaningful participation of persons with disabilities, particularly children and young people.

Joy Ubong is a BSc holder in food and nutrition , whose passion for the humanity had journeyed into the civil space to reach many not only through healthy dieting awareness and counseling but through development issues and programs that speaks for an inclusive society, while amplifying the voice of the voiceless.

Her passion was spored up from the many challenges she faced as a child who grow with disability, which she fought through and is still fighting, with committed promise to advocate same for the vulnerable and marginalized persons in the society until an inclusive society is attained. She has positioned herself for many learnings and trainings which had built her capacity to amplify and gain inclusion for the concerns of Persons with Disabilities in Nigeria.

Michael Obeng is a Ghanaian disability rights advocate, youth leader, and writer committed to advancing the rights, leadership, and meaningful participation of children and young persons with disabilities. As a person who stammers, he draws on his lived experience to champion inclusion, accessibility, and equal opportunities.He serves as Chairperson of the youth committee of the Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations (GFD) and is a member of the Interim Working Group of the Ghana Network of Youths with Disabilities (GNYD). His work spans disability rights advocacy, youth leadership, policy engagement, research, and storytelling in service of inclusive development.Michael is passionate about strengthening youth voices, building partnerships, and ensuring that children and young persons with disabilities are meaningfully represented in decision-making at national, Commonwealth, and global levels.

Selena E. Jn. Baptiste is a Saint Lucian disability advocate, youth leader and organisational development professional whose work spans inclusion, policy, advocacy, leadership and institutional change.
Drawing on her lived experience of disability since adolescence, Selena is particularly passionate about advancing the rights, representation and participation of persons with disabilities, especially women, girls and young people with disabilities. She served as 2nd Vice President of the National Council of and for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD) of Saint Lucia for six years and has also represented Saint Lucia and the wider Caribbean in regional and Commonwealth youth spaces.

Professionally, Selena works in Training and Brand Compliance within the hospitality industry, supporting organisational learning, service excellence, culture and employee development. Across her work, she champions agency, meaningful participation and the creation of systems where inclusion is not an afterthought, but part of the design.

Colin is a public sector professional with experience in international finance, economic development and disability inclusion. He serves on a number of health and disability focused committees, assessing applications for inclusive technology initiatives and research grants aimed at addressing the needs of underserved communities. He is a strong advocate for inclusive policy, meaningful representation and equitable opportunities for disabled children and young people across the Commonwealth.

Devika Malik is an international para athlete with cerebral palsy, a disability inclusion advocate, and social entrepreneur advancing the rights and leadership of persons with disabilities. As Founder of Wheeling Happiness Foundation India and Asian Representative of the Commonwealth Children and Youth Disability Network, she has represented the voices of young persons with disabilities across major international forums. Her contributions to advancing disability rights and youth empowerment have earned global recognition, including the Commonwealth’s Queen’s Young Leaders Award, the Government of India’s National Youth Award, and the Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia List. She is committed to building a more accessible, equitable, and inclusive future through grassroots activism and global advocacy.

My name is Dipika Lama, an Indigenous woman with a disability from Nepal. I serve as the Vice President of the National Indigenous Disabled Women Association Nepal (NIDWAN) and advocate for the rights of Indigenous persons with disabilities, particularly women, children, and young people. My work focuses on advocating intersectional issues like disability rights, Indigenous rights, gender equality, climate justice, youth leadership, safeguarding, and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) from grassroot to regional level.

I am a bilingual PhD student based in Canada researching participatory and phenomenological approaches to understanding the lived experiences of children with cerebral palsy. Living with cerebral palsy myself, I draw on both scholarly and lived experience to explore embodiment, inclusive research methods, and ways of meaningfully centering children’s voices in disability research.

Ashleigh Keating (She/Her) is a disability advocate, passionate about advancing inclusion and meaningful participation for Disabled people. She has worked across disability advocacy, youth engagement, education, and media, contributing to initiatives that amplify the voices and experiences of young people with disability

Ashleigh has experience with national and international disability advocacy networks, including youth-led projects focused on inclusive education, employment, gender equality, and disability rights. She is currently In her final semester of a bachelor of arts in international relations and sociology.

Through her advocacy, research, and communications work, Ashleigh is committed to challenging barriers, promoting accessible systems, and ensuring people with disability are meaningfully involved in decisions that affect their lives.

Tsaone Tryphinah Mosweu is a disability rights advocate, public health professional, and human rights practitioner committed to advancing the leadership, rights, and meaningful participation of young people with disabilities. Drawing from both her professional experience and lived experience as a visually impaired young woman, she works to influence policies, strengthen partnerships, and promote inclusive development that leaves no one behind.

Her work focuses on disability inclusion, youth leadership, and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), with a strong emphasis on ensuring that young people with disabilities are represented in decision-making processes at local, regional, and global levels. She has worked with governments, organisations of persons with disabilities, United Nations agencies, civil society organisations, and youth networks to support the development of disability-inclusive policies, programmes, and advocacy initiatives.

Tsaone holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health and is currently pursuing a Master of Laws (LLM) in Human Rights, specialising in Sexual and Reproductive Rights in Africa. Her academic and professional interests centre on advancing social justice, promoting inclusive public policy, and strengthening systems that respond to the diverse realities of young people with disabilities.

She is a 2024 Mandela Washington Fellowship alumna and is passionate about building a future where young people, particularly young people with disabilities, are recognised as leaders, innovators, and partners in sustainable development. As a member of the Commonwealth Children and Youth Disability Network (CCYDN) Executive Committee, she looks forward to collaborating with fellow leaders across the Commonwealth to champion disability inclusion, amplify youth voices, and drive meaningful change.

My name is  Dr Racheal Kalinaki, 29 year old female from Uganda. I am a medical doctor by profession and I am living with a physical disability. I am a youth expert and a passionate disability rights advocate. I am the Executive Director of Women with Disabilities Health Initiative(WODHI), a grassroots youth led organization working with and for girls and young women with disabilities in Uganda. I have over nine years experience in advocating for rights of children and young people with disabilities at National, Regional and International levels. I am a former member of the Youth Advisory Group of UNOHCHR initiative 75, which worked to advance rights of young people with disabilities at the UN during the commemoration of 75 years of universal declaration of human rights in 2023. I am an alumnus of the African UN Youth Delegates program and a former She Leads UN youth advocate at Plan International. I am also an alumnus of Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) cohort 57, United People Global Sustainability Leadership class 2023 and  Global fellows in Courage program 2025.

Currently I am a Global Youth Ambassador at Theirworld and a member of the Act For Early Years working group and an Education Issue journalist at Theirworld. I am a youth representative on the steering committee of Uganda National Coalition of Human Rights Defenders disability cluster. Furthermore I am a “We Can Work” ambassador at Light for the World organization Uganda and I am a member of Iganga district disability council representing organizations of people with disabilities and I am key in creating strategic linkages between organizations of persons with disabilities and the district. Alongside my rich and diverse disability rights advocacy background, I excel at hard work, teamwork, strong facilitation and communication skills, creativity and interpersonal skills. I enjoy using my skills to develop and deliver transformative and innovative solutions to problems affecting children and young people with disabilities most importantly girls and young women with disabilities.

Puneet Singh Singhal is a disability rights advocate and an accessibility professional. He is the co-founder of Billion Strong, an organization working to empower people with disabilities globally.Through his initiative, “Green Disability”, he is working at the intersection of disability, climate change, rampant inhumane urbanization, and mental health.

Recognized by Forbes 30 under 30 Asia for his efforts in social impact, Puneet was also honoured with the Commonwealth Innovation Awards 2023 for his contributions to disability inclusion worldwide.

Rameen Mashhood is a disability inclusion, youth engagement, and advocacy professional from Pakistan. Currently working as a corporate professional and serving on the Prime Minister’s National Youth Council, she has contributed to initiatives advancing disability rights, gender equality, climate action, economic empowerment, and meaningful youth participation at both national and international levels.

Drawing on both lived experience and professional expertise, Rameen’s work spans policy engagement, strategic communications, grassroots organising, and international advocacy. She has collaborated with government institutions, civil society organisations, and youth-led networks to promote inclusive development and strengthen the representation of marginalised communities. Her advocacy has included participation in national policy consultations and representation at global youth forums.

As a member of the Commonwealth Children and Youth Disability Network (CCYDN) Executive Committee, Rameen is committed to advancing the rights, leadership, and meaningful participation of disabled children and young people, while championing accessible, inclusive, and rights-based approaches across the Commonwealth.

Yusra Gilani is a youth disability rights advocate and healthcare professional from Pakistan, working at the intersection of assistive technology, disability inclusion, and health equity. She serves as an Assistive Technology User Consultant with the International Disability Alliance (IDA), a Research Associate at the Special Talent Exchange Program (STEP), and a member of the World Health Organization’s Technical Advisory Group on the Use of Digital Technologies to Enhance Access to Assistive Technology.

Yusra leads the Youth with Disabilities Inclusive Hub and serves as a coordinator at the National Forum of Women with Disabilities. She also contributed to the GDS 2025 Youth Call to Action. A U.S. International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) Alumna (2025), she has represented Pakistan and advocated on various global platforms. She has also contributed to and led disability inclusion initiatives in collaboration with national and international organizations, focused on assistive technology, disability rights, GBV, and inclusive development. Drawing on her lived experience, Yusra continues to advocate for accessibility, inclusive policies, and the meaningful participation of persons with disabilities.

I am Gamuchirai Gatsi, a 26-year-old disability rights advocate from Zimbabwe. My commitment to disability inclusion is not just professional; it is deeply personal, rooted in 26 years of lived experience. As a Livelihoods and Skills Development Officer for the Disability Youth Advocacy Network, and a volunteer at a children’s center for disabled children, I have seen both the barriers we face and the immense potential we hold. I am eager to bring this experience to the Commonwealth Children and Youth Disability Network, contributing to a leadership team that champions the rights and opportunities of every young person across the commonwealth.

Nayem Molla is a disability inclusion advocate, assistive technology specialist, and youth leader from Bangladesh. He currently works at the Bangladesh Business and Disability Network and serves as a member of the World Health Organization’s Technical Advisory Group on Assistive Technology. Previously, Nayem worked as an Assistive Technology Fellow at the International Disability Alliance (IDA). With experience at CEPPS, IFES, and disability-led organisations in Bangladesh, Nayem has contributed to global and national initiatives on assistive technology, disability rights, political participation, accessibility, and inclusive development.

Abraham Yarjah is a Sierra Leonean disability rights advocate, law graduate, and youth leader passionate about advancing the rights, inclusion, participation, and representation of children and young people with disabilities.

Abraham currently serves as the Advocacy Officer and Secretary of the Albinism Royal Foundation, where he advocates for disability rights, supports awareness and advocacy initiatives, engages stakeholders, and contributes to organisational leadership. He is also a member of the African Youth with Disability Network, where he participates in stakeholder engagement, representation, and policy dialogue.

He has previously been involved with the Children’s Forum Network and is a Co-Founder of Alliance for Concerned Sierra Leoneans, through which he has contributed to youth advocacy, community development, project development, and stakeholder engagement.

He is committed to ensuring that children and young people with disabilities are not merely included as beneficiaries but are heard, represented, empowered, and supported to lead and influence the decisions that affect their lives.

Irshad Qasim. I am from Maldives. I volunteer at the Maldives Association of Persons with Disabilities (MAPD). My role is to advocate at the national and international levels. My advocacy focuses on education, employment, youth with disabilities, girls and women and engaging rural communities. Also, I am responsible for the youth advocacy team. Outside of voluntary work, I recently finished my secondary Education and started my bachelor’s on Computer Science.

Dr Sarah Mwikali is the founder and executive director of the Gifted Community Center (GCC) an award winning organization advancing the rights of children’s & youth with disabilities in Kenya and beyond. GCC is also the Kenya’s leading Network of Youth with Disabilities and College Students.

Sarah has served CCYDN since its founding as an executive committee member, African Regional representative and 2025 co-chair.

She has represented CCYDN in various advocacy initiatives, positioning it as a children and youth led network across the commonwealth.

Sarah holds a PhD in Diplomacy and International Affairs and has worked/consulted in different organizations including UNICEF, USAID, UNFPA, among others.

She is an academician and a leading researcher on interdisciplinary qualitative research.

Shrutilata, 29, have progressive deafblindness, completed her Bachelors of Arts, and Diploma in Physiotherapy. She also did certificate in Food and Nutrition course. She joined Sense International India in April 2020 and has been engaging with Stakeholders to advocate for Rights of people with Deafblindness in India. She is involved in rights-based advocacy and also building capacity of family members and fellow young adults with deafblindness on advocacy issues.

She has 3 years of working experience as a paediatric physiotherapist in early intervention center, in reputed institutions in Ahmedabad and Himmatnagar respectively. She also presented paper in national and international conferences as role model in Deafblindness. She has also participated and contributed as a speaker at GDS 2022, UNGEI, UNCOSP. She is also an Executive member of Commonwealth Children and Youth with Disability Network. Her areas of interest are Safety with Accessibility, raising awareness about Deafblindness, Rights of girls and women with Deafblndness, Inclusive higher education for people with deafblindness, Digital Accessibility and Technology support.

CCYDN Associate Executive Committee Member and Advisor Jonathan is a lawyer at international law firm Reed Smith, specialising in media law, and an elected councillor for the London Borough of Bromley (he was elected at age 28 and is currently its youngest elected councillor).

Having been diagnosed as being on the autistic spectrum at nine years old, Jonathan has been open about this throughout his career and is an advocate for neurodiversity inclusion in the workplace and wider society. His work in this area has seen him recognised widely nationally and internationally, including as a Queen’s Young Leader, European Campaigner of the Year, the Open University’s youngest ever honorary graduate and being named the UK’s fourth most influential disabled person in 2020 by the Shaw Trust Power List (which he has since judged for the last three years).

Jonathan was the first ever CCYDN youth co-chair between 2019 and 2021 and represented the network, among other conferences, at the Global Disability Summit and United Nations Conference Of States Parties To The Convention On The Rights Of Persons With Disabilities, as well as co-drafting the Global Disability Children and Young People’s Charter. Since coming to the end of his term as CCYDN Youth Co-chair, he continues to support the network as an advisor.

CCYDN Associate Executive Committee Member and Advisor Heidi is a young Autistic woman with multiple co-occurring disabilities and chronic illnesses.

In addition to her own self-advocacy, Heidi has an extensive background working in disability systemic advocacy, including in spaces working to advance the rights of young people with disabilities.

Heidi lives in Tasmania, the island state of Australia with her partner, son and three cats.

Heidi has previously completed Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Philosophy and Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degrees with the University of Tasmania (UTas).

CCYDN Associate Executive Committee Member and Advisor Krystle is a diversity and inclusion specialist and Co-founded the Enable Lanka Foundation. The Foundation is also the Sri Lankan partner for the APAC Microsoft Enabler program, which provides online training in data engineering and programming, cloud computing, and application development to young people with disabilities. Krystle also serves as the youngest non-executive independent Director at a trusted NBFI in Sri Lanka. She is a Community Champion of the Global Shapers for Southern India, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives chapters. Krystle became the first Sri Lankan to be honored with the “Commonwealth Young Person of the Year” award by Queen Elizabeth II in 2017. She was selected as one of the 50 young people to attend the 2019 Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum. In 2023, she was named one of the Asia Society Next Generation Fellows and she is a fellow of the ChangemakerXchange initiative.