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Paralympian Anne Wafula Strike's journey from adversity to advocacy highlights her mission to transform the Commonwealth, pushing for equality in sports and inclusion for people with disabilities across member nations.
British Paralympian and Commonwealth Champion for Equality in Sport Anne Wafula Strike is on a transformative mission to create a more inclusive Commonwealth.
Born in the small village of Mihuu, Kenya, Anne contracted polio at the age of two, which left her with a disability that would define her journey through both hardship and triumph.
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Reflecting on the early challenges of her life, Anne recalls a feeling of isolation that went beyond her physical disability.
“I had never felt so rejected and unwanted,” she shares, remembering how many parents in her Nairobi community encouraged their children to avoid her, fearing she was “cursed and contagious " as quoted by Inside the Games.
While children would approach her out of curiosity, most interactions left Anne feeling excluded. The social stigma of her disability cast a shadow over her formative years, teaching her early on that acceptance would be hard-won.
Yet, against the backdrop of social exclusion, Anne found solace in music and sports, passions that ultimately gave her a platform on the world stage.
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Her discovery of wheelchair racing was transformative, leading her to become the first athlete from sub-Saharan Africa to compete in wheelchair racing at both the World Championships and Paralympic Games.
As her athletic career blossomed, so did her awareness of the broader challenges that athletes with disabilities face regarding equal access and representation.
In 2020, Anne’s journey took a pivotal turn when she was named Commonwealth Champion for Equality in Sport.
Embracing her role as an advocate, she engaged directly with Commonwealth leaders, amplifying the voices of marginalized communities and underscoring the importance of inclusion within sports.
"The web of exclusion is very complex. First, I was sidelined for having a disability; then, I found myself on the outside for being a woman and Black. If nothing is done, these inequalities will block progress towards achieving fair institutions and societies by 2030,” she warns.
Her advocacy aligns with the goals of the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Patricia Scotland, who is dedicated to placing inclusive human rights at the core of the Commonwealth’s agenda.
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Earlier this year, Scotland reaffirmed this commitment at an event in Paris, stating, “No one should be excluded. Not because of colour, gender, disability, or ethnicity.”
Anne’s efforts, supported by the Commonwealth Secretariat, have propelled inclusion discussions to the forefront of the Commonwealth’s human rights mission.
Anne’s message has been powerful within the Commonwealth Games as well.
At the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, she urged leaders to dismantle barriers and ensure equal opportunities for athletes with disabilities.
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Her calls to action were echoed earlier this year at the Commonwealth Sports Ministers Meeting, where she passionately encouraged governments to provide platforms for young people with disabilities to pursue their dreams.
“I encourage member governments to provide platforms for young people with disabilities to realise their aspirations,” she stated.
Beyond her advocacy, Anne’s influence extends through her charity work.
She founded the Olympia-Wafula Foundation, which provides healthcare, education, and resources for people with disabilities across Commonwealth countries, including Kenya and Malawi.
The foundation has been a lifeline, offering wheelchairs and educational scholarships to vulnerable individuals, fulfilling Anne’s goal of creating real and lasting change.
Anne’s advocacy will take center stage at the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa, where human rights and the role of sport will be key topics.
Leaders will reflect on Anne’s life as an example of how courage and persistence can drive meaningful progress.
Her story is a beacon of hope urging the Commonwealth to believe that even the smallest steps toward inclusion can ultimately lead to transformative change.
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