Light for the World, along with colleague, Yetnebersh Nigussie, have launched a brand new award this year: Her Abilities AWARD is the first global award honouring the achievements of women with disabilities across the world, in health, education, rights, arts, culture & sports.
Light for the World launching this award to celebrate women with disabilities who achieved greatness in their life or field of work and to shine the spotlight where it is too seldom shone!
To say it in the words of Yetnebersh, with this award we want to inspire the world to “focus on the 99 abilities and not the one disability”.
Nominations have started on 2 July 2018 and Light for the World like to encourage all our friends and partners to nominate and spread the word!
The independent award jury is made up of brilliant women from around the world, including
- Shantha Rau Barriga, Director of the disability rights division at Human Rights Watch, USA
- María Soledad Cisternas Reyes, Law professor, UN Secretary General’s Special Envoy on Disability and Accessibility, Chile.
- Ninia LaGrande, Writer, host, poetry slammer, Germany
- Ekaete Judith Umoh, Social inclusion and disability expert, Nigeria
- Farida Gulamo, who was the first President of the Paralympic Committee, activist in sport and education, Mozambique
- Rachel Kachaje, disability rights activist, former Minister of Persons with Disability and Elderly Affairs, Malawi
- Mariam Doumbia, musician, part of the Grammy nominated Duo Amadou & Mariam, Mali.
Together they will decide on the winners in three categories: Health & Education; Rights and Arts, Culture & Sports. More jury members will be confirmed over the coming weeks.
Award winners will join a celebrated network of other successful women (the Jury) who commit to finding opportunities to support each other in their further pursuit of justice, equality and excellence. Winners will receive a certificate, a physical award, and will be celebrated through communications and advocacy outreach opportunities.
More info is available on our website — www.her-abilities-award.org