The Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) held a One-Day Hybrid Stakeholders Summit aimed at empowering women with disabilities in West Africa (Ghana, Senegal, Togo, and Nigeria) Supported by the Disability Rights Fund/Disability Rights Advocacy Fund (DRF/DRAF), this summit focused on enhancing leadership capabilities, advocating for rights, and fostering collaboration with mainstream women’s movements to promote disability inclusion.

This initiative is anchored in key international frameworks, including the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) Articles 6 and 16, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Goal 5.

The main objectives of the summit centered on sharing learnings from recent advocacy initiatives and trengthening collaboration among stakeholders.

This summit followed a three-day leadership workshop for 16 intersectional leaders and activists from Ghana, Togo, Senegal, and Nigeria held in July 2024.

It also built upon discussions from a press conference in July 2024, which announced the project aimed at addressing harmful traditional practices that contribute to gender-based violence.

In conjunction with the summit, participants observed the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. This annual campaign highlighted the urgency of addressing violence against women and girls, particularly those with disabilities, and resonated strongly with the summit’s objectives.

Participants at the summit included women activists with disabilities from Ghana, Senegal, Togo, and Nigeria, representatives from civil society organizations, and government officials.

The summit commenced with a welcome address by the National Women leader for JONAPWD, Zainab Mustapha while the keynote address was given by the Executive Director of Heir Women’s Hub.

The summit included 3 panel discussions that provided invaluable insights.

The first panel discussion was on Bridging Divides: Strategies for Integrating the Perspectives of Women with Disabilities into Mainstream Feminist Movements. The panelists included:
Kemi Odunsanya (HIFWYD), Patience Ogolo from AWWDI,
Rebecca Hassan Kwayama (JONAPWD Gombe State Women Leader),
Mireille Wilson (Executive Director for L’association pour la promotion de la handicapee au Togo), and
Yentchabre Tchammangue David (Togo)

The second panel discussion focused on Amplifying Voices: Addressing Gender-Based Violence Against Women with Disabilities in the Context of the 16 Days of Activism. Panelists in this discussion included representatives from
Network of Women with Disabilities, Helen Inyang of the  MotherAid and Child Protection and Development Initiative, Hellen Ebiyoku (DWAI), and Barr. Blessing Ujunwa (ALDIN)

The third panel discussion focused on Empowering Change: Best Practices for Inclusive Advocacy and Representation of Women with Disabilities. The panelists included Zainab Mustapha 
(National Women’s Leader), Beatrice Mube Awala (Abuja Women’s Leader), 
Oluchi Esther Nwite (HIFWYD), Florence Marcus (Amputee Coalition of Nigeria) and Joko Omotola (National President of the Association for Intellectual and Development Disabilities)

In the interactive session, representatives from Ghana and Togo shared their learnings from the AWID summit they attended in Bangkok from 2-5 December.

The summit provided a vital platform for dialogue, learning, and collaboration among stakeholders dedicated to the empowerment of women with disabilities in West Africa. By aligning our efforts with global advocacy movements, we aim to ensure that their voices are heard and integrated into broader equality initiatives.

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