Inclusive Education for Disabled and Illiterate Girls: Africa Educates Her Campaign

Africa Educates Her Campaign – 5th Anniversary Celebration (Angola)

Inclusive Education for Disabled and Illiterate Girls

Presented by Sofonie Dala – Founder of this Platform and Ambassador for Africa Educates Her Campaign in Southern Africa

Good afternoon everyone,
Welcome to the second part of our program. My name is Sofonie Dala, founder of this platform and ambassador for the Africa Educates Her Campaign in Southern Africa.

This year marks the 5th Anniversary of the Africa Educates Her campaign — a movement launched by the African Union to bring all girls back to school during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

The pandemic challenged girls’ education across the continent, but it was especially devastating for girls with disabilities. Many were left behind, unable to access schools, healthcare, or even basic social protection.

Celebrating Resilience – Revisiting Our Girls’ Stories

To mark this milestone, we chose to celebrate differently.
We went back to our roots, revisiting the girls who bravely shared their stories four years ago — testimonies that moved hearts and inspired action during one of the most difficult times in recent history.

Today, we bring back one of those stories to the global screen — the powerful and emotional journey of Domingas, lovingly known as Mima.

You can revisit her original 2021 interview through this link:
👉 Inclusive Education for Disabled and Illiterate Girls – Campaign with Sofonie Dala (May 1, 2021)

We invite everyone to look back, remember, and reflect on how much has changed — and how much still needs to be done.

Mima’s Story

Mima is a double orphan and the sole surviving member of her immediate family. She lost both her parents and siblings at a young age. Her childhood was marked by neglect and a lack of access to proper healthcare. Sadly, her parents never had her vaccinated, which led to a preventable illness that caused a physical disability that worsened over time.

Her father passed away in 2018, and shortly afterward, her mother also died. Once, Mima lived with her whole family under one roof, but tragedy struck early—her siblings died when she was a small child, and she lost her parents during her teenage years.

Revisit her 2021 story

Today, in 2025, Mima is 26 years old. She can barely walk and spends most of her days sitting. Despite her condition, she has never lost hope. She dreams of studying again, regaining her health, and living a dignified life.

Mima’s challenges go beyond her disability — she has no birth certificate, no national ID, and no documents from her late parents. This lack of legal identity has made it impossible for her to register for school, access healthcare, or benefit from social programs.

Her Educational Journey

2007–2008: First attended preschool at around 7–8 years old.
2018–2019: Returned to preschool at 18–19 years old, but her father passed away the same year, forcing her to drop out again.

Since then, Mima has remained at home. She dreams of returning to school to learn to read and write her name, a goal that represents both hope and independence.

Despite her circumstances, Mima has shown remarkable character — she has never given in to despair, never engaged in child marriage or teenage pregnancy, and continues to believe in a brighter tomorrow.

Support and Empowerment

During our 2025 visit, we offered Mima a free kit of reusable menstrual pads and provided training on sustainable menstrual hygiene, empowering her to live more comfortably and reduce costs.
Because of her health condition, Mima had been spending nearly four times more than a typical girl on disposable menstrual products each month. The reusable pads will help her live with more dignity and reduce her carbon footprint.

Mima continues to appeal for medical, educational, and humanitarian support — from doctors, donors, and organizations that can help restore her health and give her access to education and proper documentation.

Challenges Faced by Girls with Disabilities

Mima’s story reflects the reality of millions of girls across Africa who face multiple barriers:

Gender discrimination – being a girl still limits access to education and opportunity.
Disability discrimination – few schools are equipped with accessible infrastructure or inclusive learning materials.
Poverty – most disabled girls come from impoverished families unable to afford school or healthcare.
Social stigma and isolation – bullying, exclusion, and shame often silence their dreams.
Inaccessible healthcare – limited reproductive and general health services for girls with disabilities.
Documentation barriers – without official IDs or birth certificates, they remain invisible to national systems.

Globally, the literacy rate for women with disabilities is only about 1%, making them one of the most excluded groups in the world.

A Call to Action

Orphanhood and disability are expanding issues that demand united action. We must ensure that no girl is left behind — regardless of her physical ability, family status, or social background.

The Africa Educates Her Campaign continues to identify illiterate and disabled girls, empowering them through education, mentorship, and advocacy. Together, we are building an inclusive society where every girl matters.

Let us remember Mima’s story — from 2021 until now — as a reminder that the fight for girls’ education and inclusion must continue with even greater strength.