Displaying 1 - 20 of 169
Sort by relevance Sort by date
Publication
Cover image developed by Chat GPT, in response to: A simple and inclusive graphic showing African women and girls with disabilities alongside healthcare providers. The graphic should be minimalistic, with one healthcare provider in a wheelchair and another with a hearing aid. One patient uses a white cane, and another patient is a woman with albinism. The design should feature only African people, with basic colours and clear lines. The background should be simple and clear, with no text, no signs, and no s

TUMEWEZA

Compendium of Good Practices for Ensuring Disability-Inclusive Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights and Gender-Based Violence Services in United Republic of Tanzania

The Tumeweza compendium iss a vital resource for ensuring disability-inclusive sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and gender-based violence (GBV) services in the United Republic of Tanzania. It highlights the significant strides made towards improving accessibility and inclusivity in healthcare services, particularly through the efforts at Selian Lutheran Hospital and Nkinga Referral Hospital. The lessons learned from these initiatives provide a roadmap for other health facilities to follow, emphasizing the importance of collaboration with organizations of persons with disabilities, government stakeholders, and faith-based organizations.
While the progress is commendable, there are still gaps that need to be addressed to fully realize inclusive healthcare services for women and girls with disabilities. These include improving infrastructure, enhancing communication between healthcare providers and patients with disabilities, and creating specific policies and procedures that ensure the dignity and autonomy of all individuals. The compendium underscores the necessity of continuous training, accessible information systems, and advocacy at all levels to ensure that no one is left behind.
Moving forward, it is essential for health facilities, policymakers, and development partners to prioritize the inclusion of persons with disabilities in all healthcare-related initiatives. By addressing the existing gaps and building on the good practices outlined in this compendium, Tanzania can continue to lead in the promotion of disability-inclusive SRHR and GBV services in the region and globally, ensuring that every woman and girl has the right to safe, accessible, and respectful healthcare.

03 December 2024
Feature story
thumbnail_DSC09236-Enhanced-NR

Workshop champions review of theological curriculum on disability

A workshop organised by the World Council of Churches Ecumenical Disability Advocates Network (WCC-EDAN) with Duta Wacana Christian University from 22-25 October in Yogyakarta, Indonesia called for a review of theological curriculum on disability as the first step toward just and disability-inclusive churches. 

31 October 2024
Blog post
29 August 2022, Karlsruhe, Germany: Participants in the Ecumenical Disability Advocates Network pre-assembly held on the eve of the World Council of Churches' 11th Assembly in Karlsruhe.

EDAN at 25: “Making a way”

Reviewing a bibliography of publications just by African scholars (not even looking at global developments) on the topic of disability, one cannot help to be impressed with the breadth and depth of scholarship. The Ecumenical Disability Advocates Network (EDAN) has contributed directly and indirectly to many of these publications over the past 25 years. 

06 August 2024
Blog post
profile faces of young people

"If you are willing...”

Hello, my name is John and I have myelomeningocele spina bifida. In-utero, my spinal column did not fully close and a number (for me, six) of nerve-pairs did not get to where they needed to go. For me, that disclosure is relatively low on my spine, meaning it affects below my midsection. I can still walk using leg braces.

08 May 2024
Feature story
Samson Waweru wearing a white t-shirt and holding a microphone

Embracing unity, faith, and hope: a conversation with Samson Waweru

Samson Waweru, a visually impaired Kenyan, holds the position of executive director at the Kenya Society for the Blind. In this capacity, he is responsible for executing a comprehensive mandate aimed at assisting blind and visually impaired individuals in Kenya. His focus encompasses areas such as prevention, education, rehabilitation, employment, and overall welfare. Beyond his professional duties, Samson also serves as the vice-chair of the St Cosmas and Damianos Cathedral in Nairobi, showcasing his dedication to both his professional and spiritual obligations.

31 January 2024
Feature story
Conversation in a sign lanuage

Churches in Africa agree on guidelines for disability inclusion

“I have cerebral palsy spastic quadriplegia, meaning all of my limbs are severely affected by my cerebral. However, I am not defined by my cerebral palsy. There's much more to me than my cerebral palsy,” Julius Van Der Wat, a member of the Dutch Reformed Church in Pretoria, South Africa, told a recent churches’ disability conference in South Africa.

19 December 2023
News
Blind man on muddy street in camp for displaced in South Sudan

Faith leaders in Tanzania vouch for disability health rights and services

As the world marks the 16 Days of Activism on Gender Based Violence, religious leaders, human rights activists, and development partners in Tanzania joined on 5 December to discuss the human rights of girls and women, including those with disabilities, in a forum titled “Wealth of Knowledge and a Wealth of Care.”

14 December 2023