In Kigali, Rwanda, Gaudence Mushimiyimana has turned personal adversity into a movement for change. After acquiring a physical disability as a young woman, she experienced firsthand the social exclusion and discrimination that women with disabilities often face. But instead of letting those barriers define her, Gaudence transformed her experience into a mission to redefine inclusion for women and girls with disabilities in Rwanda and across Africa.
Today, she serves as the Executive Director of the National Union of Women with Disabilities of Rwanda (UNABU)—a strong member organization of Disabled Women in Africa (DIWA). Her story is one of empowerment, and the belief that no woman should be left behind because of her disability.
“I did not choose disability, but I chose to act,” says Gaudence. “Every woman with a disability has potential, what she needs is opportunity.”
Under Gaudence’s leadership, UNABU has evolved into a dynamic movement promoting equality and inclusion through community empowerment and policy advocacy. The organization supports women with disabilities to access education, start businesses, and take on leadership roles in their communities. It also runs initiatives to combat gender-based violence (GBV) and to strengthen the confidence and visibility of women and girls with disabilities.
UNABU’s programs reach hundreds of women every year, offering training in entrepreneurship, rights awareness, and advocacy. Beyond individual empowerment, the organization also influences public policy working closely with government institutions and civil society to ensure that national laws and policies uphold the rights of women with disabilities.
Gaudence’s voice has reached international platforms. At the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) in New York in 2025, she spoke on DIWA’s high-level panel “Powerful Yet Overlooked: African Women, Diversity, and Inclusion in Beijing +30.” She highlighted the need for stronger collaboration between feminist and disability movements, urging global actors to move beyond tokenism toward systemic inclusion.
“Women with disabilities are not asking for sympathy—we are demanding equality,” she told the audience. “When inclusion becomes part of every agenda, every policy, and every budget, that is when justice begins.”
Gaudence connects women-led disability organizations from across the region, building solidarity and ensuring their voices are represented in continental advocacy spaces.
Her recent work also bridges gender equality and environmental justice. Through UNABU, she is championing inclusive climate action and disaster preparedness, ensuring that women with disabilities are equipped with knowledge and skills to participate in climate resilience and community leadership.
“Inclusion is about more than rights—it’s about survival and sustainability,” she reflects. “If climate change responses don’t include women with disabilities, then they’re incomplete.”
From exclusion to empowerment, Gaudence’s journey is a reminder that change begins when women with disabilities shape the narrative of their own lives. Through UNABU and DIWA, she continues to create spaces where women with disabilities not only belong—but lead, thrive, and inspire transformation across Africa.
