Working for change 17
What women with disabilities can do
Make your voices heard by advocating for your rights and making sure disability
issues become a priority.
• Refuse to be confined to one place. Be adventurous and welcome different
experiences.
• Learn business skills, and empower yourself economically.
Finding security in the market
Oppah Ndlovu from Zimbabwe is a wheelchair user and is a respected
member of her community. She started a successful project selling
vegetables and tomatoes. Now, community groups purchase vegetables from
her. With this steady income, Oppah has managed to buy a house.
• Insist on participating at all levels in the community.
• Become role models for other girls and women.
Share your
stories.
• Speak about your disabilities.
• Offer to accompany other disabled girls and women to where they
need to go.
• Take part in sports.
Olympic-level athletes
An increasing number of women are taking part in the
Paralympic Games, an international sporting competition
for athletes with disabilities including mobility disabilities,
amputations, visual disabilities, and cerebral palsy.
The Paralympic Games are held every 4 years, following the
Olympic Games. It is an eye-opener for many people to see
women with disabilities compete with confidence and skill.
Bowler dispels myths
Constance Sibanda, a blind bowler, was nominated the Sportsperson of the Year
in Uganda, dispelling myths that as a woman with a disability she was “long
dead and useless.” Constance won a double gold medal in a world competition.
Since then she has amassed more medals in blind bowling and participated in
competitions in South Africa, Scotland, and the United Kingdom. Constance
challenges all women and girls to explore their hidden talents.
A Health Handbook for Women with Disabilities 2007