Nairobi, Kenya – October 2025
Disabled Women in Africa (DIWA), in partnership with the Coalition on Violence Against Women (COVAW), successfully hosted the first Sub-Regional Convening of Women with Disabilities from Kenya, Rwanda, and Malawi under the project “Inclusive and Empowered Feminist Movement in Africa,” funded by the UN Trust Fund to End Violence Against Women (UNTF).
The two-day convening, held from 7–8 October 2025 at Pride Inn Azure Hotel, Nairobi, brought together 20 women with disabilities advocates and leaders to share experiences, exchange learning, and set a sub-regional agenda for ending violence against women and girls with disabilities (EVAWG).
The meeting was held under the theme:
“From the Margins to the Centre: Women with Disabilities Setting Sub-Regional Agendas on EVAWG.”
It marked a historic milestone in regional collaboration, uniting women with disabilities from three countries to strengthen their collective voice and leadership in feminist and EVAWG movements.
Opening and Welcome
In her powerful welcome address, Ruth Mkutumula, Executive Director of DIWA, highlighted the importance of the convening as a symbol of progress and leadership for women with disabilities across Africa:
“Women with disabilities have been left behind not because of lack of interest, but because of lack of opportunity and capacity. This initiative is about changing that narrative. It’s about ensuring that women with disabilities are not just participants, but leaders shaping the gender equality and human rights agenda across our region.”
She acknowledged the UN Trust Fund’s continued investment in capacity building and movement strengthening, emphasizing that transformation becomes inevitable when women with disabilities are given space, solidarity, and resources.
Ruth also welcomed distinguished guests, including:
- Dr. Josephine Obonyo, Secretary for Gender, State Department of Gender and Affirmative Action, Kenya
- Hon. Dennita Ghati, Former Member of Parliament for Persons with Disabilities, Kenya
- Ms. Giulia Pelosi, Africa Portfolio Manager, UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women
- Ms. Habiba Rizaan Osman, Executive Secretary, Malawi Human Rights Commission
- Ms. Getrude, UN Women East and Southern Africa Office, Kenya
“Today’s convening marks a new chapter , one where women with disabilities are no longer on the sidelines, but actively shaping sub-regional priorities, setting agendas, and influencing policy and practice on ending violence against women and girls,” Ruth affirmed.
Highlights from the Convening
The forum featured keynote remarks by Hon. Dennita Ghati, who reflected on progress since the Beijing Platform for Action and urged stronger regional accountability to frameworks such as the African Disability Protocol (ADP) and AU Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (CEVAWG).
A high-level panel discussion on “Building Inclusive Feminist Movements: The State of Participation of Women with Disabilities in EVAWG and Feminist Movements” brought together:
- Maurine Oduor, FEMNET
- Gicuku Karugu, Equality Now/SOAWR
- Sally Nduta, United Disabled Persons of Kenya (UDPK)
- Representatives from Malawi and Rwanda women’s disability networks
Moderated by DIWA, the discussion explored how feminist coalitions and movements can strengthen partnerships with women-led organizations of persons with disabilities, and how to ensure that rural, refugee, and marginalized women are fully represented in advocacy spaces.
Other sessions led by COVAW and DIWA focused on:
- Advocacy and communication strategies
- Mapping advocacy spaces and opportunities
- Experience sharing by women advocates from Malawi, Kenya, and Rwanda
- Financing inclusive feminist coalitions and movements
The convening also launched the joint advocacy paper titled “From the Margins to the Centre: A Call to Action for Ending Violence Against Women and Girls with Disabilities in Africa.” The paper presents a unified regional agenda calling for justice, accessibility, inclusive funding, and the full participation of women with disabilities in feminist and policy movements.
Outcomes and Commitments
Participants agreed on a shared advocacy roadmap for the sub-region, focusing on:
- Strengthening partnerships between feminist and disability rights movements;
- Advocating for the ratification and implementation of the ADP and AU-CEVAWG;
- Expanding inclusive funding for women-led organizations; and
- Enhancing cross-border learning and leadership mentorship among women with disabilities.
“Leadership is not about appearance; it is about vision,” one participant reflected. “From Kenya to Rwanda to Malawi, we are reclaiming space, voice, and power.”
About the Project
The Inclusive and Empowered Feminist Movement in Africa Project, implemented by DIWA in partnership with COVAW and funded by the UN Trust Fund to End Violence Against Women, works to strengthen the leadership, advocacy, and movement-building of women with disabilities in Kenya, Rwanda, and Malawi. The project seeks to ensure that women and girls with disabilities are visible, influential, and central to the EVAWG and feminist agendas across Africa.
