By Nyasha N’onzwe
Women with disabilities continue to be sidelined in leadership in most developing countries. Although there are more women than men with disabilities, the voice of the disability movement often excludes women.
Also, more men than woman with disabilities occupy leadership positions in their communities, organisations and the government. As such, there is a need to ensure that women with disabilities occupy more leadership positions in both the disability movement and the rest of society.
This is absolutely necessary if we want to achieve an equal future in a Covid-19 word.
Covid-19 has affected us all in different ways. Women with disabilities have not been exempted from this experience. And some have been affected more than others. The effects of Covid-19 on their lives are best known, expressed and understood by them. Hence, women with disabilities to take a leading role in addressing these issues. Therefore, it is important to have women with disabilities in leadership positions in order to create more inclusive spaces in a Covid-19 world.
With this in mind, leadership programs are needed which help women with disabilities develop the necessary leadership skills to take up leadership roles and foster change and self-representation. Joint leaderships trainings to all women with and without disabilities are encouraged to promote inclusion in leadership.
While Endless Possibilities serves both women and men with disabilities, we have always strived to provide women with disabilities opportunities for professional and leadership development training through partners like Women Excel. Women Excel has sponsored women with disabilities participating in our training programs, mentored and invited them to their activities and events, where they learn from and interact with women in leadership.
For more information about Endless Possibilities or how you can partner with us in providing professional and leadership development training opportunities for women with disabilities, please contact me on +263774108712 or [email protected]
* March 8 is International Women’s Day. This year’s theme was “Women in leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world”