Inclusive governance means ensuring that everyone, including persons with disabilities, can shape the decisions that affect their lives. When local institutions remove social and physical barriers, communities become stronger and fairer. Yet across many countries, persons with disabilities still face exclusion from public life and policymaking.
Group of trainers after Training of Trainers in Uganda 2022
Over the past five years, the We Are Able! (WaA!) programme has worked to change this. Launched in 2021, the initiative set out to enable persons with disabilities in Africa to participate fully in society and improve their livelihoods and food security.The programme was carried out through a strategic partnership with the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs : ZOA, African Disability Forum, SeeYou Foundation, VNG International, The Hague Academy for Local Governance, and The Leprosy Mission International. Their close collaboration with Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs), civil society, and local governments in Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Uganda has paved the way for lasting change and inspiring success stories.
Success Story from Sudan: Women with Disabilities Lead Local Change
In Gedarif State, Sudan, women with disabilities had long been excluded from community meetings, training opportunities, and economic activities. Working together, The Hague Academy and VNG International supported local trainers and local organisations in six localities through training, awareness campaigns, and advocacy to make local governance more inclusive.
Early in the programme, trainers noticed that women with disabilities were missing from local workshops, even when the sessions focused on their economic participation. This absence revealed both social stigma and limited awareness of women’s right to be involved in decisions about their own lives. Through new training on inclusive governance and economic empowerment, attitudes began to change.
During one workshop, participants proposed to establish an association for women with disabilities in the Al-Goreisha locality. Supported by community members and the local government, the association quickly became a platform for leadership and cooperation. Among its founders, Sabaa Faisal, Ghada Mustafa, and Nashwa Hassan took on leadership roles and received training in advocacy, entrepreneurship, microfinance, sign language, and cooperative management. They also learned to collect and analyse data on disability and food security using digital tools, which they used to advocate for women with disabilities.
The new Women with Disabilities Association in Al-Goreisha now brings together over 80 persons with disabilities and 30 non-disabled community members. It coordinates with the state association and plans to expand its work across Gedarif State. This effort has already changed how local authorities and communities view inclusion, not as a project, but as a shared responsibility.
Success Story from Uganda: From Self-Doubt to Civic Leadership
In Arua City, Uganda, persons with disabilities have long been excluded from decision-making and leadership. One of them was Hon. Khadija Aliru, a councillor representing persons with disabilities in the Arua City Council.
Before joining the programme, Khadija lacked confidence and avoided speaking in public:
“I could not even address a congregation or speak in council meetings because I thought I would make mistakes and people would laugh at me.”
Her turning point came when a colleague introduced her to We Are Able!. Soon after, she was selected as a co-trainer with The Hague Academy for Local Governance and joined a series of Training of Trainers (ToT) sessions on inclusive governance, leadership, and advocacy.
Khadija began facilitating trainings herself, joined the city’s Union of Persons with Disabilities, and helped develop and monitor Local Inclusive Action (LIA) plans. Her growing expertise and confidence led her to successfully contest for the position of Committee Chairperson for Finance, Planning, Technical Services, and Administration in the Arua City Council.
In her new role, Khadija ensures that disability inclusion is part of the city’s planning and budgeting process. Civil society organisations now work directly with city departments to check accessibility in public spaces such as markets and to promote inclusion in urban development.
Her story from self-doubt to taking a leading role shows how access to knowledge and opportunity can transform not only individuals but entire communities.
Khadija (seated – middle) after co-trainers Training of Trainers in 2022
Local Inclusion in Action across Africa
Across six countries, We Are Able! has improved how local governments and OPDs work together. Persons with disabilities are now leading community associations, starting small businesses, and contributing to public institutions. Local authorities have adopted more inclusive planning practices, and civil society partners have gained stronger advocacy skills.
“The results of We Are Able! are impressive: Persons with disabilities running bakeries in cities, working in local tourism departments, and many more heartwarming and promising stories. I am truly proud of what we have achieved together as a consortium.” — Cecile Meijs, Director, The Hague Academy for Local Governance
Local Ownership Ensures Lasting Change
Now that the We Are Able! programme has concluded, its legacy is the local ownership it leaves behind. Across all participating countries, governments, OPDs, and communities have pledged to continue the work of inclusion and integrating it into governance, planning, and daily life.
At the closing event in Sudan, the Executive Manager of Al-Goreisha Locality reaffirmed this commitment:
“We reaffirm our commitment to continue implementing the Local Inclusion Agenda even after the conclusion of the We Are Able! project, and to transfer these experiences to new localities across the state.”
This commitment, echoed across all partner countries, gives We Are Able! its lasting impact. Inclusion has moved from a programme goal to a local practice, led by communities, authorities, and persons with disabilities working side by side.
Funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, We Are Able! leaves behind stronger institutions, more inclusive communities, and a growing movement for equality that continues to inspire lasting change.