The Advocacy for Women with Disabilities Initiative (AWWDI), with support from the African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF), has conducted a Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) session for mentors and mentees participating in its Inclusive Leadership and Decision-Making Empowerment for Women with Disabilities Project in Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The session brought together women and girls with disabilities, mentors, project staff, and stakeholders to review the progress of the mentorship programme, assess achievements, identify challenges, and document lessons learned. The project is aimed at strengthening leadership skills, self-confidence, decision-making abilities, and civic participation among women with disabilities while promoting their representation in leadership and governance spaces.
Speaking at the event, AWWDI Executive Director, Ms. Patience Ogolo Dickson, highlighted the importance of inclusive leadership and the need to ensure that women with disabilities are actively involved in decision-making processes. She described inclusive leadership as a deliberate effort to create equal opportunities for all, particularly marginalized groups, and encouraged participants to view themselves as future leaders capable of influencing policies and driving positive change in their communities.
Drawing from her personal experience as a woman with a physical disability, Dickson recounted how societal stereotypes often denied girls with disabilities access to equal opportunities, particularly education. Despite these barriers, she persevered and went on to become a leading advocate for disability rights and inclusion. She also shared an experience from her early career when a stranger mistakenly assumed she was a beggar because she used crutches, noting that such misconceptions continue to fuel discrimination against persons with disabilities.
She urged participants to reject limiting stereotypes, pursue economic independence, and build confidence in their abilities. According to her, women with disabilities have the potential to lead, influence policies, and contribute meaningfully to national development when given the necessary opportunities and support.
The programme also featured an interactive Monitoring and Evaluation session facilitated by AWWDI Project Manager, Dr. Kola Jayeoba. During the exercise, mentors and mentees reflected on their experiences since the commencement of the programme and shared stories of personal growth and transformation.
Participants reported significant improvements in self-confidence, communication skills, leadership awareness, and community engagement. Several mentees said the mentorship programme had empowered them to speak publicly, participate actively in meetings, and contribute more confidently to discussions affecting their communities.
The discussions further highlighted persistent challenges faced by women and girls with disabilities, including stigma, discrimination, exclusion from leadership spaces, inaccessible environments, and limited economic opportunities. However, participants noted that the mentorship initiative has provided a supportive platform for learning, networking, and personal development.
The Monitoring and Evaluation exercise enabled AWWDI to assess progress towards project objectives, evaluate mentor performance, document successes and challenges, and gather feedback to strengthen future programming. At the close of the session, participants reaffirmed their commitment to advancing disability rights and echoed the slogan, “Nothing About Us Without Us,” emphasizing the importance of involving women with disabilities in decisions that affect their lives and communities.
AWWDI reaffirmed its commitment to empowering women and girls with disabilities to become confident leaders, advocates, and decision-makers capable of driving inclusive development across Nigeria.
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