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A Voice For the Voiceless

The Advocacy Project helps marginalized communities to tell their story, claim their rights and produce social change. We recruit graduate students to volunteer as Peace Fellows with partners.

The Impact of Service "Speaking with locals and living in a country is the best way to learn about the real lives of citizens, not just the stories in the mainstream media. I will be more critical of what I read as a result of this experience. I also feel even more grateful for my education, and I feel a stronger responsibility to assist others who do not have resources or access to opportunities in their communities." Maria Skouras (New York University) volunteered in 2011 as a Peace Fellow for eHomemakers in Malaysia. For more 2011 feedback click here.

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Partner Campaigns > Gulu Disabled Per... > Survivors > Teddy Luwar

Teddy Luwar

Teddy is chairperson of the Gulu Women with Disabilities Union.

Teddy was born in 1954 in Parwaca village, AAtyak sub-county, Gulu District. At the age of 16, she became physically disabled because of a local poison.

In 2002, she was elected to be the chairperson of the Gulu Women With Disabilities Union, the GUWODU. First small groups were formed. “We wanted to make our voice heard. In 2002 there were selections and I became chairperson. We formed a group and we came with objectives: we shall be able to make the young ones follow [us], have girls access higher education, we promote literacy amongst women. We shall come with one voice, since we are discriminated against.”

Teddy implemented several projects. With the GUWODU they bought piglets and handed them out to women with disabilities so that they could maintain them for reproduction. Another project was a revolving loan project. Further projects were establishing a tea shop and a bakery to create income generating activities. Teddy hopes that elder woman will acquire management and leadership skills so they will be empowered and able to carry out other activities, such as acquiring income generating skills.

One of the main challenges faced by women with disabilities is, in Teddy’s view, a lack of access to education. “Education is very low, because they are discriminated against by the parents. Few have taken them to school. If there are several children [and limited recourses for school fees], the one with the disability will be allowed to go to school last. Girls should have more access to education… [Especially] girls in the villages have no education, they are just there, being left. Especially deaf girls. They also face problems of communication with parents and the public.”

In addition to her role in the GUWODU, Teddy has also been a local councilor. She has been a disability representative councilor in LC3 (local council on sub county level) and moved up to LC4 (Municipality level) a few years later, where she still is a councilor today. In the LC3 she was chairperson of the General Purpose Committee and in the LC4 she was recently elected as secretary of community services. In her view, being in the local council and being the chairperson of the GUWODU complements each other well. “When time for the council comes I stand and plea for the rights. Being in the council has given me a chance to lobby for things and have access to information and raise my voice for women with disabilities.”

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