Advocacy for Women with Disabilities Initiative AWWDI

14/08/2026

Inclusion is not optional—it is essential.

True inclusion means having a seat at the table where decisions are made. AWWDI firmly believe that the voices of women and persons with disabilities must be at the center of all policy-making processes.

From climate emergency frameworks to everyday governance, our lived experiences hold the key to creating systems that are truly equitable and resilient. We cannot be treated as an afterthought; our perspectives must guide the way forward.

With the continued support of the Disability Rights Fund (DRF), we are actively advocating for a society where every voice is heard, valued, and reflected in national planning.

Nothing about us without us! ✊🏾

12/08/2026

What a fantastic and impactful community engagement session! It is wonderful to see our "Mentee of the Week" taking the lead and putting her advocacy training into real-world action.

Community Sensitization and Breaking Stereotypes
In this video, our mentee, who introduces herself as Tina Ugbo, is leading an interactive awareness session with a group of men in an outdoor community space. She confidently identifies herself as a visually impaired or blind person and uses her own lived experience to educate the community on disability rights and inclusion.

Here are the key moments and lessons from her engagement:

🔹Opening the Floor for Honest Dialogue: Tina starts by asking the men a direct question: What comes to their mind when they see or think about a person with a disability, specifically a blind person? This creates a safe space for the community members to share their genuine thoughts and biases.

🔹Addressing the "Beggar" Stereotype Head-On: When Tina asks the men what they would think if she were walking towards them on the street, one of the men honestly replies that he would assume she is "coming to beg for money." Tina uses this exact moment to gently but firmly correct this major misconception.

🔹Highlighting Capability and Dignity: She powerfully explains that having a disability does not mean a person is a beggar. She educates the group that persons with disabilities are diverse and capable, noting that they work as professors, teachers, farmers, and business owners.

🔹Changing the Narrative: Tina concludes by giving them a practical takeaway: if a person with a visual impairment approaches them on the road, they should not immediately assume the person wants money. Instead, they might simply be asking for directions or assistance with a route.

The Impact of the Engagement
Tina’s approach is incredibly effective because she is calm, interactive, and directly challenges a deeply rooted societal bias. By standing before them and stating, "I can do business, I can do everything to help myself," she is proving that women with disabilities are independent, capable, and deserving of respect, not pity.

With the support of the African Women's Development Fund (AWDF), AWWDI is creating opportunities for women with disabilities to develop their voices, lead, and contribute to more inclusive communities.

11/08/2026

11/08/2026

What you don't know about person with a disability is that disability does not take away the ability to lead, speak, learn, or make a difference.

Meet our Mentee of the Week, Tina Ogbo a woman with visual impairment from Kuje Area Council, turning knowledge into confidence and community action.

Her story reminds us that when women with disabilities are given the right support and opportunity, they can become powerful voices for change. 🧡

With the support of the African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF), AWWDI is creating opportunities for women with disabilities to develop their voices, lead, and contribute to more inclusive communities.

"When women with disabilities are given a platform, they don't just speak, they create change." 🧡

Image Description:
Tina Ogbo is featured as AWWDI's Mentee of the Week, confidently speaking into a microphone. The background is softly blurred, highlighting her confidence and participation in community leadership.

10/08/2026

10/08/2026

This was not just the usual dialogue… it was a real, honest conversation.

Voices were raised, not in anger, but in purpose.
From powerful contributions at the table to shared ideas written on simple notes, every moment mattered. You could feel it… people were not just talking, they were listening, learning, and challenging each other to do better.

Participants spoke on GBV, disability inclusion, and climate realities, bringing lived experiences into the room. No filters. No silence. Just truth and commitment to change.

Because real inclusion starts when everyone has a seat… and a voice.

With support from ActionAid Nigeria and funding from Global Affairs Canada, the Advocacy for Women with Disabilities Initiative (AWWDI) is implementing the Renewed Women's Voice and Leadership Nigeria (RWVL-N) Project to amplify the voices of women and girls with disabilities, strengthen their leadership, and advance disability-inclusive policies and programmes that promote gender equality and inclusive development across Nigeria.

07/08/2026

“When the flood rises, it does not choose whose house to enter.”

Climate emergencies affect everyone, but women and girls with disabilities face unique and often overlooked risks. From unsafe evacuations to exclusion in response planning, their voices are too often missing.

Through the project “Advocacy for Integration of Disability and Gender Inclusion into Nigeria’s Climate Emergency Framework and Policies,” AWWDI is working to change this narrative, ensuring inclusion is at the heart of climate action.

Fully supported by the Disability Rights Fund (DRF), this effort is a call to build systems that protect everyone, especially those most at risk.

Image Description:
An advocacy poster showing emergency responders assisting persons with disabilities during a flood, alongside the message that climate emergencies affect everyone, but women and girls with disabilities face unique risks.

06/08/2026

When Inclusion Takes the Lead: A Milestone in Disaster Management Planning
Inclusion is not just about giving persons with disabilities a seat at the table—it is about recognizing their capacity to lead the conversation.

Recently, the Advocacy for Women with Disabilities Initiative AWWDI partnered with the National Emergency Management Agency National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to host a critical multi-stakeholder consultation. The objective was to review and update Nigeria's National Disaster Response Plan (NDRP) and the National Disaster Management Framework (NDMF).

During the technical sessions, participants were divided into 9 specialized groups based on their department and area of expertise to thoroughly analyze these key policy documents. What happened next was truly inspiring.
When the time came for presentations, Ms. Damilare Odumosu, a brilliant woman with a hearing impairment and an AWWDI self-help group leader, stepped forward to present the technical findings for her group—a team composed entirely of department heads and experts without disabilities. She delivered her group's review with such exceptional clarity, depth, and expertise that it brought the entire room of high-level stakeholders to their feet for a resounding standing ovation. 👏🏾

Why This Matters
Ms. Damilare's outstanding presentation is a powerful reminder of why women with disabilities must be actively included in the design, planning, and implementation of climate and disaster policies. We cannot build a resilient disaster management framework without the voices and leadership of those disproportionately affected by climate emergencies. True inclusion means breaking barriers and proving that, given the platform, women with disabilities bring unmatched value and insight to national planning.
This consultation is a significant milestone under the ongoing DRF project, "Advocacy for Integration of Disability and Gender Inclusion into Nigeria's Climate Emergency Framework and Policies."

We extend our deepest appreciation to the Disability Rights Fund (DRF) and the World Bank Group for fully funding this engagement. A huge thank you to NEMA for their partnership and commitment to reviewing these policies through an inclusive lens, and to the AWWDI team for organizing this landmark event.

Together, we are ensuring that disaster response in Nigeria leaves absolutely no one behind.

05/08/2026

What if leadership looked like everyone?

Women with disabilities have the talent, vision, and resilience to lead. When barriers are removed and opportunities are equal, they don't just succeed, they transform communities.

With support from ActionAid Nigeria and funding from Global Affairs Canada, the Advocacy for Women with Disabilities Initiative (AWWDI) is implementing the Renewed Women's Voice and Leadership Nigeria (RWVL-N) Project to amplify the voices of women and girls with disabilities, strengthen their leadership, and advance disability-inclusive policies and programmes that promote gender equality and inclusive development across Nigeria.

04/08/2026

I want to tell you a story... do you want to know?

It is the story of a young woman who chose to learn, grow, and step forward.

Meet Vivian Timothy a woman with hearing impaired, our Mentee of the Week from Kuje Area Council. Through the AWWDI Mentorship Programme, she is gaining the confidence and skills to become a voice for disability inclusion and positive change in her community.

Every mentee we celebrate reminds us that when women with disabilities are given the opportunity to learn and lead, they don't just change their own lives, they inspire others to believe that inclusion is possible.

With the support of the African Women's Development Fund (AWDF), AWWDI is nurturing a new generation of women leaders who are breaking barriers and building stronger, more inclusive communities.

"Every empowered woman has a story. Every story has the power to change a community."

Image Description:
Vivian Timothy, wearing a green graduation gown and cap, is featured as AWWDI's Mentee of the Week. She sits confidently with a softly blurred background, symbolizing her growth, achievement, and commitment to community leadership.

Mentorship CommunityAction DisabilityInclusion KujeAreaCouncil LeaveNoOneBehind