Kalembe Aidha, a remarkable leader from Magamaga, lives with both physical and visual impairments, yet her journey is one of empowerment, resilience, and advocacy. As the chairperson of the Better Together Association of Women and Girls with Disabilities, founded with the support of IDIWA, Aidha has proven to be a tireless advocate for the rights and inclusion of women and girls with disabilities in her community.
Aidha’s transformative journey began through her involvement with IDIWA, where she received comprehensive capacity-building training that not only boosted her self-confidence but also gave her the skills to pursue leadership roles. With the empowerment she gained, Aidha ran for the position of female councilor for persons with disabilities and won, securing a voice for people with disabilities in local government. In addition to her role as a councilor, she also serves as the General Secretary of Local Council 1 in Magamaga, where she works tirelessly to address the needs of her community, especially persons with disabilities.
Through IDIWA’s advocacy training, Aidha and many other women and girls with disabilities were equipped with the skills to become effective grassroots leaders. These advocates learned how to champion the rights and needs of their communities, working alongside organizations and stakeholders to secure the resources necessary to address the specific challenges faced by women and girls with disabilities. Economic insecurity and limited access to livelihood opportunities were among the issues that needed urgent attention.
One of the most impactful outcomes of this grassroots advocacy was the successful partnership with ABILIS, which provided goats to women and girls with disabilities as part of a livelihood program. For Aidha, the program was life-changing. Not only did she gain new skills in business management through IDIWA’s training, but the goats also provided a sustainable source of income. This newfound economic resilience allowed her to diversify her livelihood, engaging in agriculture and livestock farming, and boosting her family’s financial security. The goats gave her the ability to support herself and her family while contributing to her community’s prosperity.
Aidha’s success with the goats is just one example of how grassroots advocacy, when combined with the right resources and support, can bring about real change. As a result of IDIWA’s capacity-building efforts, many of the women and girls who received goats have experienced transformative improvements in their lives.
Kalembe Aidha’s story, alongside the success of many other women and girls with disabilities, serves as a testament to the transformative power of advocacy, collaboration, and targeted interventions. It shows that with the right resources, empowerment, and support, women and girls with disabilities can overcome barriers, create lasting change, and become powerful agents of transformation in their communities.
Aidha’s leadership and activism demonstrate the impact that empowerment can have in not only changing individual lives but also in transforming communities. Her work as a leader, advocate, and businesswoman is an inspiring testament to the potential of persons with disabilities when given the right support, training, and opportunities. Kalembe Aidha’s story is a powerful reminder of the importance of inclusion, leadership, and resilience in building a more equitable and empowered society.