Posts tagged: We Can Work

ADF YOUTH LEADERSHIP PROGRAM CONTACT WORKSHOP

25th – 29th August 2025, Best Western Plus Hotel, Addis Ababa

Transformational Youth Leadership in Addis Ababa

In the heart of Addis Ababa, a new chapter of African leadership was written. For one extraordinary week, 28 young women and men with disabilities from Ethiopia, Ghana, Rwanda, Uganda, Senegal, Kenya, and Nigeria came together from the 25th to 29th of August 2025 for the Contact Workshop on Transformational Youth Leadership.

They arrived as individuals and in country teams, having only met virtually during the months of a competitive selection process. They left as a community, bound by shared stories, new friendships, and a common vision to lead change across Africa.

Throughout the week, the workshop became a living classroom not with lectures but conversations. Sessions on identity and intersectionality gave space for youth to reflect deeply on who they are. Dialogues with seasoned disability leaders brought wisdom and challenge. Learning on legal frameworks, ICT, mentorship, and leadership projects equipped them with tools to step into advocacy and economic empowerment with courage and clarity. And in every conversation, story, and activity, one message rang clear: disability inclusion is not optional — it is the heartbeat of Africa’s future.

A defining moment came as they stood at the gates of the African Union headquarters. Cameras clicked, but what lingered was the vision in their eyes. Many imagined themselves stepping into such continental spaces in the future, not as visitors, but as leaders shaping policy, amplifying voices, and advancing inclusive economic empowerment for millions of Africans with disabilities.

Beyond the learning, there was celebration. A vibrant cultural evening lit up the week as participants showcased the beauty of their countries through attires, songs, dances, and languages. The night was crowned with the warmth of an Ethiopian coffee ceremony, where, like mothers around the fire, they sat together, sharing stories of the day while sipping coffee. And as the week drew to a close, the youth lifted their voices in song and dance, carrying the flags of their seven countries, a powerful picture of unity in diversity and the Africa they are ready to build.

And then, the moment of commissioning arrived. With words of encouragement from the ADF Executive Council Youth Representative, Eric Ng’ondu, who joined virtually, the young leaders were formally commissioned into their transformative leadership journey. It was both a challenge, a blessing and a call to step boldly into leadership, to speak truth with courage, and to carry forward the torch of inclusion.

This gathering was not the end, but the beginning. It marked the launch of the ADF Youth Leadership Programme, part of the We Can Work initiative. Implemented by the African Disability Forum (ADF) with national umbrella OPDs; UDPK (Kenya), JONAPWD (Nigeria), GFD (Ghana), NUDOR (Rwanda), NUDIPU (Uganda), FSAPH (Senegal), and FEAPD (Ethiopia) and supported by Light for the World in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, this program is unlocking doors and creating pathways for young leaders with disabilities across the continent.

What a week it was. A week of learning, laughter, dance, coffee, ideas, courage, and hope. A week where Africa’s next generation of transformational leaders declared with one voice: we are here, we are ready, for an inclusive Africa!

#YouthLeadership #DisabilityInclusion #AfricaRising #WeCanWork #YoungAfricaWorks #AfricaDisabilityForum #LightfortheWorld #MastercardFoundation

In strengthening and amplifying the voices of young women and men with disabilities, 2024 saw African Disability Forum with its members from 7 African countries pilot the youth led advocacy intervention of the We Can Work Programme. ADF is a strategic partner in a consortium led by Light for the World in partnership with Mastercard Foundation aimed at having 1 million young women and men with disabilities accessing fulfilling and dignified work by 2030.

Having developed a generic curriculum on youth led advocacy, in July 2024 ADF successfully trained 12 youth with disabilities in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to be trainers on youth led advocacy for fellow youth with disabilities in their countries. The TOTs had been nominated by their respective Organizations of Persons with Disabilities namely FSAPH, GFD, JONAPWD, UDPK, NUDIPU, NUDOR and FEADP. Post the in-country trainings the youth with disabilities will be self advocates advocating for socio economic inclusion in the targeted urban and rural areas.

Over 280 young women and men with diverse disabilities followed one week youth led advocacy trainings in rural and urban areas of the We Can Work Countries. So inspiring to note that young women and men with disabilities can be trainers, self advocates and what’s more they can work, and enjoy dignified and fulfilling work. The young advocates came up with advocacy action plans that will be implemented in 2025.

These are remarks from some of the young women and men with disabilities, now young advocates:

‘“I learnt that as an advocate, being self-aware is very important.” – Ghana Urban Workshop

“I am motivated to go and read more about Ghana’s Disability Act.” – Ghana rural workshop

“The training has built my self-confidence.” – Uganda Rural Workshop

“I have learnt the about government programs such as parish development modal and national disability grant.” – Uganda Urban Workshop

“I have a right to decent work.” – Rwanda Urban Workshop

“Advocacy is important to achieve our rights.” – Rwanda Rural workshop

“I like the workbook content about my economic rights, I have been empowered.” – Kenya Urban Workshop

“I learnt that disability is an evolving concept.” – Kenya Rural Workshop

“…I am more self aware and able to advocate not just for my self but now for persons with disabilities…” – Senegal Urban Workshop

“I now see how I can take small steps towards advocacy, even in my rural area.” – Senegal Rural Workshop

“I got to know the African Disability Protocol (ADP).” – Nigeria urban workshop

“I didn’t know about the different disability categories; the training has helped me meet and learn more about people with different disability categories.” – Nigeria rural workshop

“I learnt the different economic empowerment treaties, SDGs and special disability grants and how we can utilize it for our advantage.” – Ethiopia Urban workshop

“I am looking forward to know how I can advocate not only for myself but for all persons with disabilities in my community.” – Ethiopia rural workshop

“We Can Work!” This continues to be the clarion call, a resounding and growing voice of the young women and men with disabilities across Kenya, Uganda, Ghana, Senegal, Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Rwanda to stakeholders to engage them in dignified work. The message is clear. Young women and men with disabilities can work, they have the abilities to contribute socially and economically to the development of their nations, continent and the globe at large.

Between September and November 2024, ADF participated in in country pilot activities, learning and consultative meetings with our members in the We Can Work programme. Members affirm that youth led advocacy is pivotal in ensuring young women and women with disabilities have access to and enjoy fulfilling and dignified work. To this end, ADF will prioritize youth participation in policy and decision-making processes, youth consultation and capacity development, representation and leadership in OPDs, youth and women rights organization, intergenerational dialogues and mentorship as well as informed engagement with policy makers and other duty bearers. ADF remains committed to efforts in joint resource mobilization and project implementation, strengthening our own and OPDs capacities, engaging and establishing strategic partnerships for youth led advocacy to amplify the voices of young women and men with disabilities, and promoting access to dignified and fulfilling work.