ALMA 2020

Disability Rights Advocacy Center (DRAC) invites Women with disabilities in Nigeria to apply for the 2nd Annual Leadership and Mentoring Academy (ALMA) to be held in Abuja Nigeria in August 2020.

Application deadline: 11:59pm, Friday June 26, 2020

PROGRAM AND APPLICATION OVERVIEW

ABOUT ALMA

The Annual Leadership and Mentoring Academy (ALMA) is designed as an annual event to critically appraise progress in the inclusion agenda for Nigerian women with disabilities from the 6 geopolitical zones of Nigeria. It provides an opportunity for women with disabilities to closely work and learn together, develop the confidence and skills to have more control over their lives, become more involved in representation work and decision-making processes and amplify their voices in the development agenda.

Participants are women leaders with disabilities from various states in the country, coming together to share and validate their experiences, strengthen leadership capacity, create new visions and build networks of support for inclusive development programming.

During the 5-day program, participants will take part in workshops, seminars and discussions, and participate in team-building activities, to explore challenges and exchange strategies for increasing leadership opportunities and participation of women and girls with disabilities in development programs.

The ALMA program is in its 2nd season and is contingent upon grant and donor-based funding. DRAC reserves the right to cancel the program for any reason it deems necessary and will communicate to successful participants if the program is cancelled.

ABOUT DRAC

Disability Rights Advocacy Center (DRAC) is a not-for-profit Civil Society Organization that works to protect the rights of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and promote their inclusion in the Development Agenda. A pioneer in the field of disability programming in Nigeria, DRAC uses an array of innovative and creative tools and methods to engage with duty bearers and raise public awareness on disability rights, with the primary aim of ensuring inclusion and access at all levels for persons with disabilities, with a special focus on Women and Girls with Disabilities (WGWDs)

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

To be accepted into the ALMA, you must be:

Be a woman with a disability aged 21 years and above
Speak fluent English or Sign Language.
Understand disability issues and be committed to working for the rights of women and girls with disabilities.
Belong to an organization led by and for persons with disabilities, or a civil society or other organizations committed to the inclusion of women and girls with disabilities.
Be committed to improving leadership opportunities of women with disabilities in the community and/or your state.
Be committed to implementing agreed activities over a six-month period (from September 2020 – February 2021)
Commit to mentoring girls with disabilities.
Share lessons learned and challenges with DRAC and other stakeholders.

DRAC will ensure diversity of geo-political zone, age, ethnic background, and types of disability in final selection of qualified participants.

PROGRAM OUTLINE

The ALMA program will include experience sharing sessions, mentoring clinics, interactive workshops, and practical exercises on priority issues for women and girls with disabilities which may include:

Strategies for implementing national and international policies and legislation, including the UN Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), the Disability Act and the National Policy on SRHR of Persons with Disabilities.
Educational rights and opportunities, special and inclusive education, policy and legal rights, disability inclusive service delivery, etc.
Health and family issues including navigating love, sex, relationships, parenting, women’s health, reproductive rights, etc.
Sexual and Gender based Violence
Strategies for leadership, including networking and coalition building
Organizational development and sustainability, including funding resources and strategies, and fostering partnerships with community organizations and businesses
Improving Inclusive international development, including exchanging strategies for inclusion with representatives from U.S-based international development organizations and/or human rights organizations
Planning sessions, including plans for step-down of learnings from ALMA and mentoring to other women and girls with disabilities

LANGUAGE

PROGRAM LOGISTICS

NOTE: Transport stipends are available based on applicant’s demonstrated financial need. Accepted participants can apply for a transport stipend AFTER they have been accepted to the ALMA program.

HOW TO APPLY:

1. Apply Early!

We anticipate a large number of applications. Apply early to allow sufficient time for the selection process.

2. Complete ALL SECTIONS of the ALMA 2020 Participant application, which includes:

Section 1: Personal Information
Section 2: Disability Information
Section 3: Work Experience
Section 4: Leadership Experience

3. Ensure two reference persons complete reference forms.

Two reference forms are required to complete the ALMA 2020 application process. These MUST be completed by two people familiar with the applicant’s work and qualities as a leader/advocate.
Family members cannot complete recommendations. Suggested references include employers, government agencies, community leaders, OPDs, CSOs, women’s group, etc.).

4. Ensure your completed application and reference forms are submitted to DRAC by June 26, 2020.

Incomplete applications will NOT be reviewed. Please make sure ALL sections are completed and submitted to DRAC by the deadline.

5. Application review and response

DRAC will review all completed applications
DRAC will notify ONLY successful applicants by July 20, 2020.

APPLY NOW

Download the word version of the APPLICATION FORM and the REFERENCE FORM

Word version of application and reference forms must be submitted by email by 11:59pm June 26, 2020 to:

ALMA2020@dracinnovates.org