While working at the National Department for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities in South Africa, Silomo identified key gaps in how disability rights were being implemented.
“I realised there were certain gaps in the implementation of disability rights and this warranted intervention,” he says. “So, when I came across the opportunity to apply for a PhD scholarship supervised by Associate Professor Piers Gooding, who is a leading scholar on law and policy of disability and health, I was excited.”
The rest, Silomo says, is history.
His research, which is also co-supervised by prominent administrative law scholar, Dr Darren O'Donovan, focuses on strengthening focal points and coordination mechanisms for the implementation of disability rights in South Africa.
“My work draws on Article 33 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), which requires state parties to put specific measures in place to implement the rights outlined in the convention,” he explains.
“As the UNCRPD is the most recent addition to the UN’s human rights treaties, it’s important to examine how states are complying with its obligations,” he explains. “There’s also a need to build jurisprudence around how its provisions are interpreted and applied.”
Silomo hopes his research will help improve disability rights in South Africa and support persons with disabilities.
“It’s an opportunity to not only influence practice but to contribute to the growing body of literature in this area,” he says.
After graduation, Silomo hopes to work on initiatives championing the rights of people with disabilities.
“Whether through research, advocacy or strategic litigation, I hope to contribute meaningfully to the advancement of disability rights. As a lawyer, I’m particularly interested in advocacy strategies that translate research into litigation, helping to build jurisprudence around the implementation of these rights.”
