Disabled Women In Development (DIWODE)

DIWODE was established in 1996 to fight for the rights of disabled women; to seek support and encourage the economic empowerment of disabled women in Malawi. The Vision of DIWODE is to see all disabled women participating in every aspect of society and especially to become economically self-reliant.

The Mission of DIWODE is to promote the interests of women through capacity building, participation and economic empowerment. They have around 300 members in all 3 regions of Malawi. The women are encouraged to form branches and start small-scale businesses.

DIWODE conducted training in business skills to assist the women and write proposals for funding to get the women started. They also held meetings with the women to promote disability rights and encourage the growth of self-confidence among the women.

Last year DIWODE organized a Partnership Building Workshop in collaboration with SAFOD, which drew participants from lending institutions in Malawi whose aim was to sensitise lending institutions to support women with disabilities entrepreneurs with business loans.

DIWODE also had a needs assessment exercise which was organized by FEDOMA to help define its direction in terms of its service delivery to its membership.