Empowering Women with Disabilities in West Africa

The recent press conference in June 2024 marked the official flag-off of a pivotal project aimed at empowering women with disabilities across West Africa. The initiative, titled “Holding Rights, Leading for Rights,” is a collaborative effort supported by the Disability Rights Fund and funded by the United States Department of State’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labour.

The event featured a diverse lineup of influential speakers, including:

Hellen Beyioku-Alase – Deaf Aloud Women Initiative
Khadidiatou Ba – Senegalese Federation of Disability Organisations
Dogomangue Nambkoua – Togo
Theophilus Odaudu – DRF Program Officer for West Africa
Abdullahi A. Usman – National President, JONAPWD
Juliana Afia Mahmood – VOWACGHANA
Princess Jummai Idonije – Director, MBncwd Abuja, Nigeria
Martha Coffie – National Gender Representative, Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations (GFD)

Theophilus Odaudu opened the conference by emphasizing the significance of the event in providing context about the project and ongoing workshops. He underscored the importance of media engagement in amplifying the voices and issues of women with disabilities.

Odaudu expressed gratitude to the women present, acknowledging their vital contributions despite limited resources. He stressed the need for an inclusive women’s movement, advocating for meaningful participation from women with disabilities in leadership and decision-making processes.

The project aims to enhance the visibility and agency of women with disabilities in West Africa by providing:

– Resources and Technical Capacity: To empower women to lead representative organizations.
– Participatory Grantmaking: To support organizations of women with disabilities (OPDs) in addressing gender and disability inequalities.
– Advocacy Support: To promote rights and seek equal treatment under the law.

The speakers highlighted the systemic discrimination faced by women with disabilities, including higher rates of abuse and violence. They called for increased funding and support for Organizations of Persons with Disabiliites (OPDs), emphasizing the need for collaboration between the women’s rights and disability rights movements.

Princess Jummai Idonije addressed the issue of gender-based violence (GBV) in Nigeria, advocating for a comprehensive approach that includes the perspectives of women with disabilities. She emphasized the importance of grassroots advocacy and community education.

The project will engage women with disabilities from Senegal, Ghana, Togo, and Nigeria, fostering regional collaboration to strengthen the movement. The DRF aims to support cross-movement initiatives, ensuring that the agenda of women with disabilities is integrated into mainstream discussions.

This workshop signals the beginning of a transformative journey for women with disabilities in West Africa. By empowering them with the necessary tools and support, the project seeks to create a more equitable and inclusive society.