The Advocacy for Women with Disabilities Initiative (AWWDI) has mobilised persons with and without disabilities in Abuja to strengthen advocacy for disability inclusion and women’s rights, with participants committing to become Disability Inclusion Ambassadors and promote more accessible and inclusive communities.
The session, titled “Learning Sessions with Persons Without Disabilities as Disability Ambassadors and Peer Exchanges,” was held at Ibeto Hotel, Gudu, Abuja, providing participants with an opportunity to learn from lived experiences, challenge misconceptions and develop practical commitments towards greater disability inclusion.
A total of 49 participants attended the engagement, comprising six women with disabilities, 29 women without disabilities, two men with disabilities and 12 men without disabilities.
The programme opened with a presentation by AWWDI’s Acting National Coordinator, Mrs. Bilikisu Yakubu Shuaib, titled “Understanding Disability, Rights and Inclusion from Lived Experience.” She encouraged participants to move beyond theoretical understanding and listen directly to the everyday experiences of persons with disabilities.
Persons with disabilities also shared personal experiences during the session, helping participants without disabilities understand the physical, communication, attitudinal, institutional and economic barriers that often limit participation in society. Mrs. Bilikisu stressed that persons with disabilities are rights holders and decision-makers, while equality, dignity, accessibility, participation and non-discrimination are fundamental rights, not privileges.
Particular attention was given to women and girls with disabilities, who often face multiple and overlapping barriers linked to both gender and disability. Participants were encouraged to promote reasonable accommodation, remove barriers, listen to the needs of persons with disabilities and ensure their meaningful participation in programme planning and decision-making.
The session subsequently shifted from learning to action, with AWWDI Executive Director, Mrs. Patience Ogolo-Dickson, engaging participants without disabilities on their willingness to serve as Disability Inclusion Ambassadors. The participants affirmed their commitment, while Mrs. Patience outlined the responsibilities and standards expected of ambassadors as allies who can promote disability inclusion in their workplaces, communities and other spheres of influence.
During the peer-exchange segment, participants explored how ambassadors could collaborate with women with disabilities, Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs), government, civil society, the private sector and development partners to advance issues including leadership and representation, economic empowerment, health and reproductive rights, education, digital inclusion, protection from violence, accessibility and accountability.
The initiative also established a follow-up mechanism to sustain participants’ engagement. Dr. Kolawole Jayeoba emphasised the need to translate awareness into sustained action, while plans were announced for a WhatsApp platform where ambassadors would receive further training and have their advocacy progress monitored. Outstanding ambassadors are also expected to be recognised for their performance.
The engagement reinforces AWWDI’s commitment to building an inclusive feminist movement where women with disabilities have greater visibility, leadership and influence. The initiative seeks to ensure that disability inclusion moves beyond awareness to practical action, stronger alliances and sustained advocacy for policies and communities where persons with disabilities are heard, respected, represented and actively involved in decisions affecting their lives.
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