The Society of Women Graduates concluded the capacity-building program for members of the self-advocacy group of women graduates with disabilities. The program was implemented as part of the activities of the project “Empowering Women with Disabilities: Leadership and Advocacy in Gaza’s Crisis Response", with support from the Doria Feminist Fund, and engaged 22 young women, both with and without disabilities, as part of efforts to promote the principles of inclusion and meaningful community participation.
The program aimed to strengthen participants’ capacities, enhance their leadership and civic engagement skills, and empower them to advocate for their rights and actively participate in their communities. This was achieved through a series of interactive training sessions covering several key themes, including the rights of persons with disabilities and social inclusion, protection from gender-based violence, advocacy and accountability tools, storytelling and effective communication, as well as training, facilitation, and simulation skills.
The program witnessed strong engagement from participants, who demonstrated a high level of commitment and a genuine desire to further develop their capacities and build their self-confidence. The training contributed to expanding their knowledge and equipping them with practical skills that enabled them to engage more effectively in community initiatives and advocacy efforts related to women’s rights and the rights of persons with disabilities. It also strengthened the concept of self-advocacy and empowered participants to express their needs, defend their rights, and contribute to bringing about positive change within their communities.
In this context, one of the participants stated: “This training provided me with a genuine opportunity to discover my potential and strengthen my self-confidence. I learned how to communicate my concerns and advocate for my rights more effectively, and I gained skills in advocacy, communication, and facilitation that will help me create positive change within my community.”
Participants also expressed their appreciation for this valuable learning experience, emphasizing that the program had strengthened their personal and leadership capacities and opened new avenues for community engagement and influence. It also provided a safe space for learning, exchanging experiences, and building mutual support networks.
This program forms part of the Society of Women Graduates ongoing efforts to promote the rights of women with disabilities, empower them to exercise their leadership and community roles, and advance the principles of equality, justice, and inclusion, thereby ensuring the meaningful participation of all women in recovery efforts and crisis response initiatives.
At the conclusion of the program, participants were awarded certificates of participation in an atmosphere of pride and accomplishment, while expressing their commitment to applying the knowledge and skills they had acquired to serve their communities and further advance disability inclusion and women’s empowerment efforts.
