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Inclusion is a right and a shared obligation. At IDIWA, we champion the idea that true inclusion must be embedded at every stage of development cooperation. With 16% of the global population comprising persons with disabilities, including women and girls with disabilities (WGDs), inclusive development is not optional—it’s essential. ✅ Inclusive Planning: Engaging WGDs and their representatives from the start to ensure their voices shape priorities and solutions.✅ Partnering with Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs): Building collaborations that amplify advocacy and action.✅ Inclusive Budgeting and Analysis: Allocating resources to remove barriers and ensure equal participation.✅ Providing Reasonable Accommodation: Ensuring individuals have the support they need to fully engage.✅ Accessibility: Embedding universal design principles across all interventions. 💡 Awareness is key. By integrating inclusion from the start, we save time, resources, and strengthen the impact of development efforts. Above all, this ensures we truly #LeaveNoOneBehind.

The policy launch comes at a crucial time, as the effects of climate change continue to exacerbate vulnerabilities, particularly among marginalized groups. The integration of climate justice into the policy is seen as a progressive step, recognizing the need for inclusive climate action that considers the unique challenges faced by persons with disabilities. At the Kaliro District Headquarters, the amended Kaliro District Policy on Disability was officially launched on 29, August, 2024. This policy, which now integrates critical components of disability inclusion, gender-based violence (GBV) services, and climate justice, marks a significant step towards fostering an inclusive and equitable community in Kaliro District. The initiative to amend the existing policy began earlier this year, spearheaded by Integrated Disabled Women Activities (IDIWA), leading a comprehensive review and amendment process, engaging various stakeholders including Women and Girls with Disabilities (WGDs), environmental defenders, local leaders, and community members. Their collective efforts have resulted in a policy that not only addresses the specific needs of persons with disabilities but also acknowledges the intersectional challenges they face related to gender-based violence and the impacts of climate change. The launch event was attended by district officials, representatives from partner civil society organizations, local leaders, paralegals, and WGDs. In his keynote address, the Kaliro District Chairperson lauded the collaborative efforts that brought the policy to fruition. “This policy represents a significant milestone in our commitment to leaving no one behind. By integrating disability, GBV services, and climate justice, we are addressing the urgent needs of our most vulnerable populations,” he said. Ms. Aparo Anna, the chairperson IDIWA also spoke at the event, emphasizing the importance of the policy in ensuring that the rights of persons with disabilities are recognized and protected in the face of evolving challenges. “This policy is not just a document; it is a commitment to action. We must ensure that its provisions are implemented effectively to make a real difference in the lives of those it is designed to protect,” she stated. The event concluded with a call to action by the Resident District Commissioner, Kaliro district, for all stakeholders to not just implement the policy’s provisions of promoting disability inclusion, prevent gender-based violence, and champion environmental conservation in Kaliro District but also actively participate in the ongoing government livelihood development efforts. As the district moves forward with this new policy, the hope is that it will serve as a model for other regions in Uganda, inspiring similar initiatives across the country.

A step towards inclusive and climate-smart agriculture was taken as Integrated Disabled Women Activities Women with Albinism Association, and Kaliro Focus of Women with Disabilities Association, under a coalition partnership actively participated in the Kaliro District Budget Conference. The coalition submitted an alternative budget proposal advocating for measures that enhance climate resilience and agricultural sustainability, particularly for persons with disabilities. The budget conference, held at the district headquarters, brought together key stakeholders, including district leaders, policymakers, civil society organizations, and representatives from marginalized groups. The participation of WAA, IDIWA, and KAFOWIDA marked a significant step towards ensuring that disability-inclusive and gender-responsive policies are integrated into the district’s financial planning. Recognizing the increasing impact of climate change on vulnerable communities, the coalition presented a well-researched alternative budget proposal aimed at improving climate-smart agricultural practices in Kaliro. Key recommendations included: To enhance adaptive farming techniques, the coalition called for increased investment in climate-smart demonstration gardens to serve as practical training centers for farmers, especially those with disabilities. The coalition urged the district government to formulate a clear policy framework guiding climate-smart agricultural practices, ensuring sustainability and inclusivity in food production. A key component of the proposal was the targeted distribution of fruit tree seedlings to PWDs to promote economic empowerment, environmental conservation, and food security. Following the amendment of the Kaliro District Policy on Disability-Inclusive Sexual and Gender-Based Violence and Climate Justice, the coalition emphasized the importance of integrating disability perspectives into all aspects of agricultural development and climate action. The advocacy aligns with the broader agenda of mainstreaming gender, disability, environment and climate change nexus. Their participation in the budget conference ensured that the voices of marginalized groups, particularly women and girls with disabilities, were heard in crucial district planning processes which district officials pledged to review and incorporate key recommendations into the final budget. The District Chief Administrative Officer commended the coalition for their commitment to sustainable development, stating, “The inclusion of persons with disabilities in climate-smart agriculture is a necessary step towards achieving equitable development in Kaliro.” The active engagement in the budget conference underscores unwavering commitment to fostering sustainable, disability-inclusive development in Kaliro District. Their advocacy sets a precedent for future participatory budget planning, ensuring that the needs of marginalized communities remain at the center of policy discussions.

By [Elizabeth Kayanga], Executive Director, Integrated Disabled Women Activities (IDIWA) In our work at Integrated Disabled Women Activities, we are often confronted by the complex realities facing women and girls with disabilities. Climate change, gender-based violence, and disability related challenges form a unique, intersectional burden that demands tailored policies and actions. The recent amendments to the Kaliro District Policy on Disability Inclusive GBV Services and Climate Justice stand as a critical measure to address these overlapping issues head-on, aiming to safeguard and empower our most vulnerable communities while fostering resilience against climate-related risks. Disability, climate vulnerability, and gender-based violence do not operate in isolation. Each factor exacerbates the others, creating layered risks that disproportionately impact women and girls with disabilities. In a world increasingly affected by the effects of climate change, the ability to live safely and with dignity becomes even more precarious for those who face compounded vulnerabilities. Climate change has far-reaching impacts on resources, health, and security, and the most marginalized, including women and girls with disabilities, are often the first to feel its adverse effects. Resource scarcity, displacement, and food insecurity contribute to greater incidences of GBV, making it essential for our policies to evolve in ways that recognize and address these interconnected threats. The amendments to the Kaliro District Policy on Disability Inclusive GBV Services and Climate Justice represent a transformative step forward. By embedding disability and climate justice considerations within the GBV framework, the policy is now more responsive to the specific needs of WGDs who face heightened risks under adverse climate conditions. The policy ensures that WGDs have prioritized access to GBV response services, shelter, and legal assistance, all critical resources that previously may have been inaccessible. With a new emphasis on sustainable practices, the policy directs more resources toward building climate resilience among WGDs. This includes establishing community-driven initiatives focused on adaptive skills for climate challenges, such as eco-friendly farming techniques and climate-responsive economic opportunities. The amendment process was not merely a legislative exercise; it involved collaboration with WGDs, local leaders, duty bearers, and climate advocates who contributed critical insights on the real-world implications of GBV and climate change. This inclusive approach allowed us to capture diverse perspectives, particularly from those directly affected by these crises, enabling us to draft a policy that serves our communities more effectively. While these policy changes are encouraging, they are just the beginning. We call upon policymakers, donors, and the broader community to rally behind these reforms and to engage in ongoing advocacy for the rights of WGDs. IDIWA is committed to facilitating continuous training, community sensitization, and robust monitoring to ensure these changes translate into meaningful impact. The amended Kaliro District Policy on Disability Inclusive GBV Services and Climate Justice is a milestone in our journey toward an equitable society that upholds the dignity, safety, and empowerment of every individual. This comprehensive approach to addressing disability, GBV, and climate justice stands as an example for other districts in Uganda and beyond, signaling a way forward where no one is left behind in the fight for social, environmental, and gender justice.