The Network of African Women with Disabilities (NAWWD) is a group of regional , national , local and individual professionals with disabilities. The NAWWD was established in 2004 during a meeting attended by 44 women with disability from 19 countries in Saly , Senegal. the NAWWD was formed with the aim of promoting mainstream issues of women with disabilities in Africa enabling them to participate meaningfully in the planning , implementation and monitoring of programs concerning themselves.

Our Vision

NAWWD is an inclusive African society where the rights of women with disabilities are protected , promoted and realised while its mission is to be committed , through participation , mainstreaming , and alliance building at all levels, to achieve equality social / legal justice , peace , inclusive development and the elimination of all forms of discrimination for all women with disabilities .

Education

Promoting inclusive education for all (including adult women)

Resource allocation for assistive devices

Raise awareness of parents and the community of education for women with disabilities

Empower parents with knowledge on the importance of education

Sexual Reproductive Health

Access to accessible sexual education

Access to sexual health care

Access to information

Raise awareness on sexual and reproductive health for women with disabilities.

Cultural Beliefs, Myths and Stigma

Raise awareness to transform cultural beliefs, stigma and myths that promote violence against women with disabilities.

Promote access to justice by women with disabilities (accessible courts)

Creating safe environment for women and girls for enactment of protective policies and legislative for women with disabilities

Political Participation

Promote political participation of women with disabilities to have meaningful representation in political parties.

 

Ensure Involvement and participation of women with disabilities from grassroots – community – local – regional – international.

 

Women with disabilities to have meaningful representation in political parties

The name of this organization shall be the Network of African Women with    Disabilities       (NAWWD). Continue

Women and girls with disabilities in Africa face double discrimination and are at great risk of violence, injury, abuse, neglect, maltreatment and exploitation.

Key barriers that limit their participation in society are:

Stigma and discrimination

Gender inequality – men often dominate the representation in Disabled People’s Organisations (DPOs).

Poverty and lack of educational opportunities that results in illiteracy and economic dependence

Cultural and traditional issues

These factors impact on their self –confidence, decision making abilities and capacity to initiate and sustain representative organisations. There is therefore a critical need for disabled women to align themselves, and to network with those of other countries.