DIWA was founded in Dar – es – Salaam in 2002. Due to lack of support, DIWA remained stagnant for some years. Then in 2005, the Southern Africa Federation of the Disabled (SAFOD) resolved to support the further development of DIWA. A conference which was organised by Disabled Peoples’ International (DPI) in collaboration with SAFOD and PAFOD took place in Lilongwe, Malawi. The role of DIWA was reaffirmed improving the lives of women with disabilities in Africa by lobbying for their rights, enhancing their visibility and supporting their empowerment.

Based on the recommendations of this conference, a Strategic Planning Meeting of DIWA was organised in 2008 and a Plan of Action was agreed upon.

The Vision
African Women and Girls with DIsbailities enjoy their rights, influence their destiny and are free from any gender and disability based discrimination.

The Mission
To empower African Women and Girls with Disabilities through research, information sharing, networking, partnership and capacity development for unity in diversity.

The Values

• a. Accountability and Transparency;
• b. Non-discrimination;
• c. Full participation of women and girls with disabilities;
• d. Recognition of diversity in disability and humanity;
• e. Equality.

Objectives are:

• To spearhead the inclusion of women with disabilities in the leadership of the Disability Movement in Africa;
• To mainstream disability policies in civil society, development organizations and government programmes.
• To lobby for the realization of Human Rights of Women with Disabilities in Africa;