“Women don’t get easy access to employment opportunities”

Lydia is a graduate of Sightsavers’ IT Bridge Academy and now works in the executive office of the president of Kenya. She is also a disability rights activist, supporting young people to access economic empowerment opportunities.

“My experience living with my disability spans back to the days when I was growing up as a young child. Honestly, it wasn’t easy. I had to be on crutches, had to be in a wheelchair at some point, and that threw me into a space where I was not easily acceptable among my peers. I had a lot of time alone. That means I developed a lot of interest in books. I used to read a lot. I have been underestimated many times.

“In work environments, being a communications professional, you understand that sometimes involves going out to the field to collect stories. I’ve had colleagues who just don’t believe that that’s something I can do. But all of these things have made me a resilient person.

“Women don’t get easy access to employment opportunities. We’re often not trusted in corporate spaces or boardroom spaces. We’ve had to prove ourselves over and over: I can do this. I’ve got this.