Advocacy
By 2015, the target of eliminating leprosy as a public health problem had been achieved in almost all countries. Once this target was achieved, governments reduced their resource allocation for leprosy control programmes. However, this is an outdated definition of elimination, meaning fewer than 1 case in 10,000 population.
Leprosy persists today and is now chronically underfunded and neglected by governments all over the world.
More than 200,000 new cases reported every year and an unknown number of unreported cases. In order to reach zero leprosy, the government in each country needs to own their own zero leprosy roadmap.
We know that we will not defeat leprosy by working on our own. Partnerships are vital to our aim of a world without leprosy and a world without leprosy-related discrimination. This is why we work with international, national, and local governments, as well as with Organisations of Persons Affected by Leprosy.
Discover our advocacy messages for the disability sector >
We believe in the power of self-advocates >
We have trained thousands of people to advocate on their own behalf because their voices are more powerful than ours can ever be.
TLM's Advocacy Working Group
In 2024, The Leprosy Mission's Board commissioned a new Member-Appointed Working Group on advocacy. This includes experts from within and outside of The Leprosy Mission.
Our advocacy work is informed by our key messages
These key messages are focused on how advocacy and partnership can lead us to a world with zero leprosy transmission and towards zero leprosy disability and zero leprosy discrimination.
Read our messages document
We work with the CRPD, Special Rapporteurs, and the Human Rights Council.
Mainstreaming leprosy rights within the wider disability rights movements is a key part of our advocacy work.
Human Rights are repeatedly stolen from persons affected by leprosy. We tackle that wherever we can.
Advocacy articles listed
An interview with Jika Amah-Baruwa on The Leprosy Mission Nigeria's work to ensure greater participation for persons with disability and those affected by leprosy at this election.
7 top tips from The Leprosy Mission's team in India on empowering a leprosy champion.
In conversation with Nikita Sarah (India) and Pius Ogbu Sunday (Nigeria)
Opinion by Tim Burton, Global Communications Lead at TLM International.
The journey of bringing women to positions of leadership is far from over for Nona, “I hope that we will one day see women affected by leprosy leading OPDs in Timor-Leste. I think it will be possible.
The Leprosy Mission will be attending COSP17 to represent the voices of persons affected by leprosy and persons affected by NTDs within this crucial disability rights context
At COSP17 The Leprosy Mission is hosting a side event on the right to work and employment for persons with disability in low and middle income countries
ENAPAL is Ethiopia’s National Association of Persons Affected by Leprosy. Their origins extend back to the 1990s and their three decades of growth and success make them one of the world’s leading organisations of persons affected by leprosy (OPL).
In DR Congo, policymakers and public health officials are focused on reducing transmission of NTDs in the country. Whilst this is a laudable and important goal, the sole focus on this particular NTD intervention comes at the expense of other important interventions to manage longer term needs for persons affected.
An interview with Bernice Ejiogu about the NTD Inclusion Scorecard (NISC).
The Leprosy Mission calls on the United Nations to select someone with personal experience of leprosy as the next Special Rapporteur on the elimination of discrimination against persons affected by leprosy and their family members.