The Inclusion of Women with Disability in Digital Space is Now: A call to the Government and Stakeholders

By Dr. Fatma Waziri and Sylvia Mkomwa-GPF-Tanzania

The Government and development stakeholders have been called upon to to intentionally invest in digital user friendly system to include people with disabilities especially women and girls.

 Speaking at the Commemoration of the international Women’s Day organized by GPF Tanzania with other stakeholders, the Executive Director of Women Fund Tanzania Trust (WFT-T), Ms Rose Marandu in her speech as a guest of Honor said, women with disabilities are challenged in multi factors that cannot be ignored; first is their disabilities, second is being left out from digital space and the core one being a woman.

 Hence the vulnerability is becoming critical when it comes to digital space. She also reminded the audience that, since COVID-19, different countries including Tanzania, have witnessed the tremendous speed of shift of the way of doing things from physical to digital way of doing things. The government and business have also moved towards Digital Space. 

However all the movement seems to likely forgotten the segment population of People with disabilities. 

The WFT-T, Executive Director, Ms. Rose Marandu, was a guest of honor during the IWD commemoration prepared by Global Peace Foundation Tanzania. 

  “Everything now is implemented through online systems like E-government software for payment and application for tenders, studies are accessed through digital space.

 I would suggest whenever we design our programs we need to make sure we include our colleagues with disabilities in all sectors, especially now, in this digital era” She further appealed to the government and other stakeholders to intentionally invest in user-friendly systems to include PWDs while ensuring the implementation of laws that protect persons with disabilities being observed, research to understand the gaps are conducted, as well improving the education curriculum in schools to increase the participation of Children with disabilities in STEM subjects. 

Dr Mboni, trained the participants (DEAF WOMEN) on how to create their digital presence.

Every year on March 8th, the world celebrates international women’s day. This year International Women’s Day theme focused on “DigitAll; Innovation and technology for gender equality” emphasizing the equal access and use of technological innovation to close the gender gap between women and men. Women with disabilities play a constructive role and make significant contributions to the peace process, development, and economic process.

Dr. Fatma Waziri, GPF Tanzania senior project manager giving opening remarks at the digital marketing training

 In Tanzania, they have proved their abilities in different aspects of life including leadership, entrepreneurship, peace-building at the family level, and political participation. However, the inclusion of women and girls with disabilities in digital space, especially the deaf is still low. Deaf women are being left behind due to communication barriers and limited sign language interpreters. 

Tanzania census 2012 shows the incidence of disability in Tanzania stood at 2 percent while the proportion of persons with hearing disability was 13.1% compared to other disabilities. With the increase of population by 16 million in ten years to 61.7 million, there is a possibility of an increase of people with disability as well therefore it cannot be overemphasized when it comes to innovation and technological inclusion. It is from this view, the Global Peace Foundation in collaboration with FUWAVITA, Darasa Tech, and Tree that Grow, celebrated this year’s IWD by embracing the achievement of women with a disability as great contributors to the national development and resilient families.                     

 

                     

The consortium conducted a  series of events in six days including training and workshops as well as award giving to outstanding women with disabilities in different sectors including sports. The digital marketing training was provided to 38 women with Disabilities and entrepreneurs, among them, 25 of them were deaf women from FUWAVITA who were trained in digital marketing skills. The training facilitated by Dr. Mboni from DARASA Tech aimed at increasing their knowledge in presenting their business in digital space through creating brand identity, digital marketing strategy, creating engaging content, as well as utilizing social media marketing while generating traffic online. 

The training also touched on the practical skills and the importance of branding as well as storytelling in their business strategies. “This is my first time to touch this computer,  I believe this knowledge will add a lot of value to the growth of my business, and I am very happy to  get to know more about this digital marketing” said Victoria Philimon (FUWAVITA). On her side the facilitator of the training Dr. Mboni Kibello has this to say “It is an amazing experience for me to facilitate the digital marketing training to deaf women in commemoration of the international women’s month, these women are motivated and ready to take the next steps towards creating a better future for them and their families thus as an ICT expert my vision is to continue training more women with disabilities on digital skills to increase their meaningful engagement and presence in digital platforms’. 

 

On the climax of the IWD, Five (5) women with disabilities were recognized for their endless efforts to achieve an inclusive society through the provision of awards and 4 were given seed fund to support expansion of their business. The award called MWANAMKE HODARI AWARD presented to women with disabilities who initiated an impactful sustainable intervention with success plan.

Recognition Award presented to Coach MARIANA MPONJI… In recognition of her Dedication and Commitment to empower female athletes in all spheres of life, as the first female player who motivated the establishment of the first women’s wheelchair basketball team in Tanzania. 

 

The second recognition Award was presented to REHEMA SAID  as an Outstanding National and International Wheelchair Tennis player Icon. In honor of her valuable inspiration, and contribution towards the increasing participation of PWDs in sports welfare.

Third honorary award Proudly presented to MWANAIDI RASHID NG’ITU for her remarkable participation in both local and International PWD Athletic Competitions including the OLYMPIC games in Athens-Greece 2004. We firstly celebrated her on this year 2023.

The fourth recognition award was presented to SOPHIA MBEYELA…for being the champion of PWDs’ rights inclusion and empowerment towards achieving their economic, social, and leadership development both in and out of schools in Tanzania

 

The fifth recognition award was presented to ANETH GERANA. for being an Outstanding Woman in PWDs inclusion welfare. In honor of her valuable committed contribution and outstanding performance towards advocating for deaf women’s rights economically, socially, and their leadership development in Tanzania.  

   

Hajat Shamim Khan, The BAKWATA Women Chairperson 

   In her remarks, Hajat Shamim Khan - the Chairperson of the Islamic Religion Women leaders wing (JUWAKITA) reflected in the BAKWATA constitution which is also part and parcel of the Tanzania Women Interfaith Network Leaders, insisted on the provision of education to women in peacebuilding leadership. “If we want to see the change we want to impact in women’s lives. Let’s empower women with the knowledge of Conflict resolution, they should know first how to recognize, protect themselves and resolve conflicts around them then the whole community members will be safe”