Disabled Women in Development

Disabled Women in Development (DIWODE) is a Ugandan non-governmental organization established in 1999 that works to advance the social and economic interests of women and girls with disabilities, as well as vulnerable children, in marginalized communities. The organization is registered in Uganda under registration number INDR33986069NB and permit number INDP90216069NB, and it maintains a bank account with Bank of Africa, Jinja Road Branch. Its mission centers on inclusion, advocacy, and community engagement, with a particular focus on disabled women and girls who face compounded marginalization. DIWODE's work spans capacity building, rights advocacy, and inclusive medical camps. Its flagship recurring activity is the Diwode Medical Screening Camp for People With Disabilities, held at Old Kampala Senior Secondary School. According to the organization, this annual event has been conducted for four years and typically attracts over 400 people with disabilities—approximately 280 women and 140 men—from slum areas of Kampala District, alongside more than 300 non-disabled participants. The camp reflects DIWODE's broader finding that disability prevalence is higher among women than men, and that the likelihood of living with a disability increases with age. The organization also runs a skilling project and a book-making initiative, and it maintains a photo gallery documenting its community work. Its advocacy emphasizes the rights and needs of disabled women, girls, and vulnerable children, while its community development initiatives aim to empower women through direct support and inclusion programs. DIWODE operates primarily in Uganda, with activities concentrated in Kampala and surrounding marginalized communities. As a registered Ugandan NGO, DIWODE is not a commercial company and does not have publicly listed shares or a corporate parent. Its funding and operations are structured around donor support, community partnerships, and its registered non-profit status. The organization continues to position itself as a voice for disabled women and girls in Uganda, combining service delivery with rights-based advocacy.

Disabled Women in Development (DIWODE) was established in 1999 as a Ugandan non-governmental organization dedicated to advancing the social and economic interests of women and girls with disabilities and vulnerable children in marginalized communities. From its base in Uganda, the organization built its identity around inclusion, advocacy, and community engagement, with a specific focus on disabled women and girls who experience compounded forms of marginalization. Over the years, DIWODE developed a portfolio of programs that combine direct service delivery with rights-based advocacy. A central pillar of its work has been the Diwode Medical Screening Camp for People With Disabilities, held at Old Kampala Senior Secondary School. According to the organization, the camp has been conducted for four years and typically serves over 400 people with disabilities—approximately 280 women and 140 men—drawn from slum areas of Kampala District, while also attracting more than 300 non-disabled participants. The camp is presented as both a health service and a community inclusion event. DIWODE's advocacy work is informed by data on disability prevalence in Uganda. The organization cites UBOS (2016) figures indicating that there are over 90,000 people with disabilities in Kampala, with 28.6% living in Kampala Division. It also highlights that disability prevalence is higher among women than men, and that the likelihood of living with a disability increases with age, noting that one quarter (26.9%) of people aged 60–64 years are living with disability. These findings underpin DIWODE's emphasis on gender and disability as intersecting issues. In addition to medical camps, DIWODE runs a skilling project and a book-making initiative, and it maintains a photo gallery documenting its activities. The organization is registered in Uganda under registration number INDR33986069NB and permit number INDP90216069NB, and it operates a bank account with Bank of Africa, Jinja Road Branch. Its mission statement focuses on social and economic development for women with disabilities, and its community engagement approach is designed to empower women and vulnerable children through advocacy and community development initiatives. As of the available evidence, DIWODE continues to operate as an active Ugandan NGO. It is not a commercial enterprise and does not have publicly listed shares or a corporate parent. Its work remains centered on Uganda, particularly Kampala and its surrounding marginalized communities, where it seeks to be a voice for disabled women, girls, and children.

• 1999

  DIWODE is established as a Ugandan NGO.

• Diwode Medical Screening Camp for People With Disabilities is held annually at Old Kampala Senior Secondary School; by the time of reporting it has run for four years.

Community-based Ugandan NGO focused on inclusion, advocacy, and economic empowerment for women and girls with disabilities and vulnerable children.

• Diwode Medical Screening Camp for People With Disabilities

  Annual inclusive medical screening event at Old Kampala Senior Secondary School serving 400+ people with disabilities and 300+ non-disabled participants.

• Diwode Skilling Project

  Vocational and capacity-building initiative for disabled women and girls.

• DIWODE Book Making

  Book-making initiative associated with DIWODE's community programs.

1. 1DIWODE (Disabled Women in Development)diwode.org
2. 2About – DIWODE (Disabled Women in Development)diwode.org
3. 3Disabled Women in Developmentwikidata.org