Who is Yetnebersh Nigussie? (english)
Summary
TLDRYetnebersh Nigussie, a Senior Disability Inclusion Advisor at Light for the World, advocates for the inclusion and rights of persons with disabilities globally, particularly in Ethiopia. As a blind lawyer and disability rights activist, her work spans community-based rehabilitation, sustainable development goals, and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. She emphasizes the need for inclusive education and empowerment of women with disabilities, highlighting the challenges they face. Her achievements include co-founding disability organizations and advocating for systemic change, driven by her own experience of exclusion and the transformative power of education.
Takeaways
- 😀 Yetnebersh Nigussie is a Senior Disability Inclusion Advisor at Light for the World, advocating for the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities globally.
- 😀 She is a lawyer with a disability and uses her personal experiences to drive advocacy, focusing on community-based rehabilitation and inclusive education in over 17 countries.
- 😀 Education has been a transformative force in Yetnebersh's life, enabling her to overcome societal barriers and become an advocate for persons with disabilities.
- 😀 Women with disabilities face double discrimination, both from the disability movement and the feminist movement, often leading to marginalization and exclusion.
- 😀 In Ethiopia, families are the primary source of support for people with disabilities, as government services are limited. However, there is a push for more inclusive community-based services.
- 😀 There has been some progress in legal reforms for persons with disabilities in Ethiopia, but there is still much work to be done to achieve full inclusion, especially in rural areas.
- 😀 Yetnebersh's advocacy is deeply influenced by her own experiences of exclusion and marginalization, which she aims to overcome for future generations of persons with disabilities.
- 😀 She co-founded the Ethiopian Centre for Disability and Development, working to integrate disability inclusion into development policies and programs in Ethiopia.
- 😀 Yetnebersh has received international recognition for her work, including the prestigious Rights Livelihood Award, which acknowledges her innovative approach to disability inclusion.
- 😀 She plans to use half of her award money to support Light for the World’s ‘One Class for All’ campaign and the other half to establish a scholarship for girls with disabilities from rural areas in Ethiopia.
Q & A
What inspired Yetnebersh Nigussie to become an advocate for disability inclusion?
-Yetnebersh’s advocacy was deeply influenced by her personal experience of exclusion as a blind girl in Ethiopia. She faced significant challenges in education and social integration, which motivated her to work towards breaking down the barriers faced by people with disabilities, especially women.
How did Yetnebersh’s upbringing impact her journey to success?
-Growing up in a rural area with early marriage practices and limited opportunities for disabled children, Yetnebersh's blindness initially made her an outcast in her community. However, her mother’s decision to send her to a special school instead of keeping her at home gave her the educational foundation that ultimately led to her success.
What are the main challenges faced by persons with disabilities in Ethiopia, according to Yetnebersh?
-In Ethiopia, persons with disabilities often face a lack of government support services, reliance on family for care, limited access to education, and discrimination in employment. Legal reforms have been made, but there is still a significant gap in achieving full inclusion and equal opportunities.
Why does Yetnebersh emphasize the importance of inclusive education?
-Yetnebersh views education as the key to breaking the cycle of poverty and empowering individuals with disabilities. She believes that inclusive education enables children with disabilities to learn alongside their peers, fostering a sense of equality and belonging that leads to a more inclusive society.
What role did Yetnebersh play in changing the landscape for students with disabilities at Addis Ababa University?
-Yetnebersh was instrumental in establishing the Centre for Students with Disabilities at Addis Ababa University. This was the first institution within the university specifically dedicated to supporting students with disabilities, marking a significant step forward in creating an inclusive academic environment.
How has Yetnebersh’s work helped challenge stereotypes about women with disabilities?
-Yetnebersh advocates for the inclusion of women with disabilities in both the disability movement and the women’s rights movement, which often exclude them. She highlights the unique challenges women with disabilities face, such as double discrimination, and works to elevate their voices and participation in leadership roles.
What is the significance of the Right Livelihood Award in Yetnebersh’s career?
-Winning the Right Livelihood Award brought international recognition to Yetnebersh’s work and highlighted her innovative approach to disability inclusion in Ethiopia. The award also connected her with other prominent figures and provided a platform to further her advocacy for the rights of persons with disabilities.
What are Yetnebersh’s plans for using the money from the Right Livelihood Award?
-Yetnebersh plans to donate 50% of the award money to support the 'One Class for All' campaign, focusing on inclusive education in Ethiopia and Burkina Faso. The other 50% will fund a scholarship program for girls with disabilities from rural areas in Ethiopia, aiming to bridge the gap in education access.
What does Yetnebersh believe is necessary for achieving true inclusion for persons with disabilities in Ethiopia?
-Yetnebersh believes that true inclusion requires not just legal reforms but also the establishment of community-based support systems, improved infrastructure, and more inclusive education policies. She emphasizes the need for both government and society to shift their mindset and ensure full participation of persons with disabilities in all aspects of life.
How does Yetnebersh view the relationship between disability and development?
-Yetnebersh views disability and development as interconnected and should not be treated as separate issues. She believes that development organizations must adopt disability-inclusive approaches to ensure that people with disabilities benefit from development programs, contributing to a more equitable society.
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