‘There is power in the cry of a woman’: the approach of African women with disabilities to leadership

ABSTRACT

African disability activists and leaders play a key role in addressing the pervasive stigma, discrimination, and exclusion that is encountered by people with disability. An understanding of the leadership influences, styles, and priorities of female disability leaders may encourage and support the African disability movement and women’s involvement in it. The current study undertook a series of in-depth interviews that explored the life stories and leadership experiences of seven female disability leaders from Tanzania, Ghana, and Kenya. Findings indicated that although the participants had experienced significant discrimination and pain as women with disability (WWD), they had been able to draw strength and conviction from their trauma and use their experiences to connect with other WWD. The participants described leadership as the service to others and they understood the importance of unity, hope, participatory leadership, and a commitment to a common goal and purpose. Through their leadership, they sought to empower individual WWD, as well as shape a united disability movement with a strong political voice. These findings demonstrate the importance of understanding the role women can play in disability leadership, serving as a hopeful reminder that trauma and marginalization can be reconceptualized as a source of strength and compassion.

KEYWORDS:

• Disability leadership
• women with disability
• Africa
• disability rights

Acknowledgments

This work was not supported by any funding and did not receive input from any other people than the listed authors.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Julie King

Julie King is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Public Health and Social Work, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology. Dr King is a medical anthropologist with a strong interest in disability and gender in low- and middle-income countries. She takes a human rights and inclusive development approach to working in numerous countries in the Asia-Pacific and Africa. She has researched in Thailand and Cambodia and conducted training in Nepal, Fiji, Cambodia and Tanzania in the areas of disability, human rights and gender. Throughout her career, Dr King led the design and development of many Department of Defence and Trade Australia Award Fellowships for participants from Africa, Asia and the Pacific in areas of disability, gender and inclusive disaster management.

Nicole Edwards

Nicole Edwards is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Public Health and Social Work, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology. Her teaching responsibilities at undergraduate and postgraduate levels include social work and human services students, and past involvement in the education of medical students and trainee psychiatrists. She was appointed to the position of Coordinator of the Undergraduate Social Work Programmes in 2012 – current. Early in her career, Dr Edwards worked in psychiatric services as people with disabilities moved from institutional care/community development. Later, she worked clinically in hospital and rehabilitation settings and in public policy and public administration across government portfolios including family services, community services, disability and mental health.

Hanna Watling

Hanna Watling is a Research Officer with the School of Public Health & Social Work both located at Queensland University of Technology. Her previous work has included national and cross-national comparisons and collaborations on topics such as alcohol use, drink driving, and discrimination. Most recently, she has been involved in research projects exploring human rights and social justice issues with a focus on gender-based oppression, disability rights, and the nexus between the two.