From May 20–21, 2025, the Advocacy for Women with Disabilities Initiative (AWWDI), with support from the Disability Rights Fund, hosted a powerful two-day training titled “Voice and Accountability for Inclusive Climate Action” in Abuja, Nigeria. Held at the National Human Rights Commission, the event brought together over 100 participants from Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs), Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), and other development stakeholders.
The training aimed to strengthen collaboration between CSOs and OPDs, build capacity for disability-inclusive climate advocacy, and co-create actionable strategies that ensure the full and meaningful participation of women and girls with disabilities in climate governance processes.
DAY ONE: RAISING VOICES AND EXPOSING EXCLUSIONS
The first day opened with an inspiring address by Ms. Bilikisu Yakubu, AWWDI National Coordinator. She emphasized the urgency of integrating disability rights especially the experiences of women and girls with disabilities into Nigeria’s climate response framework. “Climate change isn’t just an environmental issue. It’s a justice issue. And justice must include everyone,”
The technical session, led by Mr. Kola Jayeoba, a climate justice and disability inclusion advocate, focused on movement building and the intersection of climate justice with disability rights. He highlighted systemic gaps in Nigeria’s climate strategies, where OPDs are often sidelined, and CSOs rarely budget for or prioritize inclusion.
His session explored:
How exclusion in climate planning deepens existing inequalities.
The urgent need for inclusive budgeting.
The importance of meaningful partnerships between CSOs and OPDs.
The role of women with disabilities as agents of change, not just vulnerable beneficiaries.
Throughout the session, participants shared real-life stories:
Ms. Christopher Queen, a wheelchair user, described how flooding cut her off from healthcare.
Ms. Constance Onyevuchi, a woman with albinism, recalled being denied food due to stigma.
Ms. Ndidi Rita, a deaf woman, spoke of being stranded due to lack of accessible transport systems.
These testimonies painted a sobering picture of climate exclusion and called attention to the urgent need for infrastructure, disaster response, and communication systems that prioritize accessibility and equity.
Participants collectively developed advocacy points, including:
Integrating accessibility costs into climate budgets.
Making climate financing accessible to women-led OPDs.
Including OPDs in national and subnational climate governance frameworks.
The day ended with a heartfelt address by Mrs. Patience Ogolo-Dickson, AWWDI Executive Director, who described the event as a step forward in making climate advocacy truly inclusive. “Inclusion is not a favor. It’s a right. And climate justice must be rooted in equity,” she declared
Day Two: From Dialogue to Action
The second day began with a recap and reflection on Day One, reinforcing the shared learning and trust built among participants. Focus then shifted to practical implementation: How can CSOs and OPDs collaborate meaningfully to mainstream disability inclusion in climate governance?
Participants broke into three groups to design joint action strategies. Each group presented a clear roadmap for inclusion:
Group 1, led by Kesley Chukwuneyere Nwosu, addressed misconceptions around the cost and complexity of inclusion. The group called for early involvement of OPDs in project cycles, formal partnerships, and rights-based collaboration.
Group 2, led by Isaiah Brandon, emphasized the power of inclusive climate education. They proposed localized outreach targeting women with disabilities and small businesses, and recommended the use of both digital and community-based platforms to document lived experiences.
Group 3, led by Ms. Safiya, focused on inclusive planning from the outset. Their recommendations included formalizing MoUs between CSOs and OPDs, integrating inclusive budgeting, and supporting grassroots women-led advocacy campaigns.
Throughout the day, a spirit of commitment and transformation permeated discussions. Many CSOs admitted they had never previously considered the needs of persons with disabilities in their climate projects. Conversely, OPDs shared how the lack of consistent engagement had eroded trust over time.
By the close of the session, participants had not only built stronger partnerships but had developed joint action plans that will serve as guiding documents for future advocacy, project development, and policy dialogue.
Key Outcomes
Over 100 participants trained on disability-inclusive climate action.
Three detailed collaborative action plans created by CSOs and OPDs.
New partnerships formed through the signing of commitment agreements.
Increased awareness of budgeting for accessibility and the rights of persons with disabilities.
Emergence of women with disabilities as strong voices for climate justice.
Success Story: Ndidi Finds Her Voice
One of the most powerful moments from the training came from Ms. Ndidi Rita, a deaf woman who often felt excluded in climate conversations due to communication barriers. Supported by a sign language interpreter at the training, Ndidi shared, “This program made me realize that being deaf is not a limitation. I have a right to be heard in climate spaces—and now I know how to make that happen.”
Her experience encapsulates the vision of AWWDI: empowering women with disabilities to lead, advocate, and transform their communities.
Conclusion
The two-day training underscored a simple truth: climate justice is incomplete without disability justice. Through shared learning, honest dialogue, and co-created strategies, AWWDI has helped to lay a strong foundation for a more inclusive climate movement in Nigeria.
With the support of the Disability Rights Fund, this initiative has shifted the narrative from charity to rights, from tokenism to action, and from exclusion to empowerment.
AWWDI remains committed to amplifying the voices of women and girls with disabilities—ensuring they are not just included in the climate conversation, but leading it.
