Human Rights for Women and Girls with Disabilities in Malawi - hrwgdm

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Human Rights for Women and Girls with Disabilities in Malawi - hrwgdm Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Human Rights for Women and Girls with Disabilities in Malawi - hrwgdm, Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), Area 17, Behind Kamuzu Institute of Youth and Sports, Plot 422, Lilongwe 3, Lilongwe.

WAG Disability Rights is a Non governmental organisation dedicated to empowering women and girls with disabilities in Malawi through inclusivity advocacy and access to SRHR, to promote their dignity and respect.

At Chivala Full Primary School in Dowa District, 15 year old  grade 7 learner Cynthia Moyo a girl with disabilities who ...
05/06/2026

At Chivala Full Primary School in Dowa District, 15 year old grade 7 learner Cynthia Moyo a girl with disabilities who was born without arms is quietly challenging the limits others once placed on her. She writes using her foot and continues her education with steady determination, refusing to let her circumstances define her future. Her journey, however, has not been easy. Poverty and limited support from family once placed her at risk of dropping out of school.

Hope began to take shape when Cynthia joined a WAG Disability Rights Village Savings and Loan (VSL) group comprised of women and girls with disabilities in her community. Through this group, she became part of the Advancing Human Rights, Economic Justice, and Social Inclusion of Women and Girls with Disabilities initiative which is being implemented by WAG Disability Rights with support from IM Swedish Development Partner Southern Africa in Dowa District.
The initiative involves a goat pass on scheme where 20 beneficiaries received five goats each one male and four females aimed at strengthening household resilience and building sustainable livelihoods. For Cynthia, the goats represent more than livestock. They represent dignity, stability and a future within reach.

“I was close to giving up on school,” she says. “Now I feel hopeful. These goats and the savings group are helping me believe I can build a better future. ”As the goats will help me for manure that we will apply in our backyard gardening for our sustainable economic growth.

Beyond the goat pass-on scheme, the group will later receive training and be supported to form a cooperative opening doors to stronger collective enterprise, improved market access and long-term economic independence. As the goats multiply and are passed on to other members, the impact continues to ripple through the community, creating a growing cycle of empowerment.

Today, Cynthia looks ahead with renewed confidence, showing that when women and girls with disabilities are included in economic opportunities, they can rise, thrive and transform their futures. We are grateful to IM support

From Dependence to Independent living and the family bread winnerAlinafe is a girl with multiple disabilities. She has C...
03/06/2026

From Dependence to Independent living and the family bread winner

Alinafe is a girl with multiple disabilities. She has Cerebral Palsy and physical disability. Her Story of Change. "Before I joined WAG Disability Rights Village Savings and Loan (VSL) group in area 23, my parents used to lock me inside the house. I depended entirely on others and had no means of earning an income. Because with my condition, I was regarded as non-productive and useless. Many people saw me as a burden because I am a girl with a disability," says Alinafe Dama aged 24years.

Today, Alinafe's life is taking a different direction.
Through the Advancing Human Rights, Economic Justice and Social Inclusion of Women and Girls with Disabilities initiative implemented by WAG Disability Rights with support from IM Swedish Development Partner Southern Africa, women and girls with disabilities are strengthening their livelihoods through backyard gardening and local chicken rearing. The initiative builds on existing Village Savings and Loan (VSL) groups, creating additional opportunities for members to generate income and improve their economic well-being. Working together, the women and girls with disabilities have successfully started harvesting vegetables, which they are now selling within their community.

For Alinafe, who serves as chairperson of the group after being empowered the proceeds from the vegetable sales represent more than income. She plans to use her share to revive her small sausage-making business, which became dormant due to limited capital.

"I want to restart my business so that I can support myself, meet my daily needs and eventually build my own house," she says.

Alinafe's journey reflects the broader impact of the initiative. Women and girls with disabilities who were once excluded from economic opportunities are now building livelihoods, contributing to their households and shaping a future of greater independence and dignity. The groups will eventually be trained into cooperatives. We are grateful to IM Swedish Development Partner Southern Africa support.

On 27th May 2026 WAG Disability Rights in collaboration with DAPP Malawi, we also invited the Social Welfare and MACODA ...
28/05/2026

On 27th May 2026 WAG Disability Rights in collaboration with DAPP Malawi, we also invited the Social Welfare and MACODA (Malawi Council for Disability Affairs) together we successfully conducted a Community Leaders Training in TA Chitukula Lilongwe District.

We were honored to have in attendance, Senior Group Village Heads, Group Village Heads, Religious Leaders and Village Councilors.
Together we explored critical topics including:
- Understanding the African Disability Protocol (ADP)
- Persons with Disability Act (2024)
- National Disability Policy (2025) & Malawi Constitution
- Mainstreaming disability into development plans
- Roles of community leaders in disability inclusion

The U4ADP Initiative was highly appreciated by participants. Many community leaders have already committed to sharing what they learned in village gatherings, churches and council meetings because real change starts with awareness at the grassroots.
We extend our sincere gratitude to all partners and participants for making this training a success.

Together we are building inclusive communities!

Today, our team together with our partners from DAPP Malawi visited Umoja OPD and Visually impaired workers platform OPD...
25/05/2026

Today, our team together with our partners from DAPP Malawi visited Umoja OPD and Visually impaired workers platform OPD a monitoring visit under the U4ADP project.

The Umoja(unity) Umoja People with Disabilities OPD (Organization of Persons with Disabilities) in Dzaleka Refugee Camp Dowa District was registered In 2015 a small group of people with disabilities began gathering in Dzaleka Refugee Camp. Umoja OPD has officially won an award as the Best Advocacy Organization in Africa in 2024. The award is not symbolic It is evidence that community-led disability organizations can perform when given the space to lead.
One of Umoja's achievements is its school where every child with a disability learns completely free of charge. No fees. No turning away at the gate.

"My vision is to see Umoja become one of the biggest OPDs not just in Malawi but across the region," Executive Director of Umoja(unity) said.

The Visually Impaired Workers Platform OPD was registered in 2018 to serve visually impaired Malawians in Dowa District community.The Visually Impaired Workers Platform has mobilized workers who were once isolated, creating a collective voice. Before this Platform many members were excluded from agricultural cooperatives and village savings groups not because they lacked ability but because of a false myth that visual impairment means inability to work.

Unlike a general OPD Visually Impaired Workers Platform focuses specifically on workers’ rights. Today Visually Impaired Workers Platform is proving that visually impaired workers are not waiting for charity but leading the fight for economic justice.

These two OPDs have directly benefited from U4ADP project and together, they represent growing ecosystem of disability led organizations in rural Malawi Dowa.

Malawi News Saturday, May 23-2026Human Rights Of Women and Girls with Disabilities(WAG Disability Rights) has distribute...
23/05/2026

Malawi News Saturday, May 23-2026

Human Rights Of Women and Girls with Disabilities(WAG Disability Rights) has distributed 100 goats to 20 women in Dowa to improve their economic well-being.

Disability rights are African rights.This week, we brought together 50 duty bearers from Lilongwe and Dowa for a powerfu...
21/05/2026

Disability rights are African rights.

This week, we brought together 50 duty bearers from Lilongwe and Dowa for a powerful capacity-building session on the African Disability Protocol (ADP) and what it truly means for persons with disabilities in Malawi.

Together with our partners, we explored:
How the ADP connects to the UNCRPD and Malawi’s Constitution.
The role of local authorities in advancing inclusive governance.
Making sure persons with disabilities are part of local planning, budgeting and decision-making.

Real inclusion doesn’t happen by accident. It happens when we train, listen and act together.

A huge thank you to the District Commissioners of Lilongwe and Dowa, our facilitators, Ministry of gender and every participant who showed up ready to make change real.

Let’s keep building a Malawi where no one is left behind.

Moyo Olemekezeka has finally taken off in TA Chadza and the Facilitators have began their discussions with the families ...
20/05/2026

Moyo Olemekezeka has finally taken off in TA Chadza and the Facilitators have began their discussions with the families that were selected to get empowered through the initiative.

Before empowering the families in different businesses, they are first undergoing a period where they have to reflect on their current values, know what constitutes violence, say no to any form of violence and seek healthy intimate relationships.

Strengthening Disability Inclusion in Malawi: A Commitment to Follow-Up and AccountabilityLast week, as part of the U4AD...
20/05/2026

Strengthening Disability Inclusion in Malawi: A Commitment to Follow-Up and Accountability

Last week, as part of the U4ADP Project, WAG Disability conducted follow-up visits with key stakeholder organisations in Lilongwe. The objective was to evaluate progress in three critical areas: leadership, accountability, and transparency, following training sessions previously delivered to these organisations.

The assessment was carried out using a structured questionnaire specifically designed to capture in-depth information on each organisation’s internal governance structure, operational capacity, and the concrete actions taken to advance the rights and interests of persons with disabilities.

Visits were completed with the following organisations:

AGroPeD (Alinafe Group of Persons with Disabilities)

ADDC (Area Disability Development Committee)

PACSO (Power Aids Control Service Organization)

St John of God (Disability and community health services)

These follow-up visits are not merely evaluative; they are part of an ongoing process of mentorship and capacity strengthening. By assessing real-world application of training, the U4ADP Project aims to ensure that Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) are not only well-structured but also genuinely responsive to the communities they serve.

WAG Disability remains committed to promoting inclusive development in Malawi through evidence-based support, partnership, and continuous improvement.

Under our ongoing IM initiative, advancing human rights, economic justice and social inclusion of women and girls with d...
19/05/2026

Under our ongoing IM initiative, advancing human rights, economic justice and social inclusion of women and girls with disabilities, 100 goats were distributed to 20 women and girls with disabilities each received five goats, four female and one male. This support marks a practical step toward strengthening livelihoods, expanding opportunity and promoting inclusion for women and girls with disabilities.

Why goats? A sustainable path to economic justice

According to WAG Disability Rights project staff, the livestock model was chosen deliberately. Goats adapt well to local conditions and can provide a sustainable asset for households with limited space or resources. Their ability to reproduce relatively quickly also makes them a practical pathway for building household assets over time.

Right holders also receive basic training in animal husbandry including shelter construction, feeding, disease prevention and record-keeping. WAG Disability Rights has also indicated that follow-up engagement with communities is part of the broader initiative, helping ensure that right holders are supported as they begin to care for and grow their herds.

Cynthia Moyo was born without arms and is in Grade 7 at Chivala Full Primary School, where she writes with her foot. She is one of the 20 right holders supported under this initiative. Cynthia said. "With these goats, I can support my education, help my family and believe in my own future. I used to think that because I have no arms, I would always depend on others. Now I have something of my own that can grow."Her story reflects the determination, resilience and potential that this programme seeks to strengthen through practical, dignity-affirming economic support.

Economic justice is not only about income, but also about dignity, independence and the freedom to build a future on one’s own terms. We are proud to walk alongside these 20 right holders as they begin this journey toward greater social inclusion and economic empowerment.

Address

Area 17, Behind Kamuzu Institute Of Youth And Sports, Plot 422, Lilongwe 3
Lilongwe
P.OBOX30823

Opening Hours

Monday 08:00 - 16:30
Tuesday 08:00 - 16:30
Wednesday 08:00 - 16:30
Thursday 08:00 - 16:30
Friday 08:00 - 17:00

Telephone

+265 998 200 347

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