PRESENTATION BY NAOMIE KALUA

Introduction Objectives Activities Achievements Conclusion

FEDOMA in partnership with CBM embarked on this project in 2012. It is funded by the Scottish government

The project aims at creating best practises for the Malawian context through its design of empowering DPOs to effectively access development committees of local government in order to lobby for inclusion from local level upwards to national level, and with focus on three districts; namely, Lilongwe, Salima and Nkhotakota.

Mobilization of representatives of up to 380,000 persons with disabilities in the target districts of Lilongwe, Salima and Nkhota-kota into strategic groupings through FEDOMA

Establishment of district level disability forums in the target districts Lilongwe, Salima and Nkhota-kota through FEDOMA

Mapping of best practices in advocacy in Malawi through participatory action research of MHF and ENABLE Scotland in collaboration with FEDOMA

Lobbying of local government structures on village, area- and district assembly level for inclusion through interface meetings with members of local government in the target districts Lilongwe, Salima and Nkhota-kota

Development of advocacy tool kit, training curriculum and e-learning for Training of Trainer (ToT) course by MHF and ENABLE Scotland in collaboration with FEDOMA

Awareness meetings in the communities in the target area of the project through outreach education programs by DPO’s

There has been formation and strengthening of DPO committees at district level

There has been formation of district disability fora (DDF)

Securing representation in the District Executive committee

Representation of PWDs in the district councils/councilors

Formation of the national advocacy taskforce

Signing of memorandum of understanding with two of the district councils

The project is now taking some good shape with the active participation of the DPO leaders at the district level and increased commitment on the part of the district authorities.