Leaders from Africa, Southeast Asia and the Pacific share insights on leading with disability

On Tuesday 18 June 2024, disability leaders from Africa, Southeast Asia and the Pacific came together to discuss how people with disabilities understand and exercise leadership, and how they are influencing change in their communities and countries.

Co-hosted by WLI, Australia Awards Africa and Australia Awards in Indonesia, the event attracted over 100 members of the international Australia Awards community, and development colleagues across the region with an interest in empowering leaders with disability.

Event discussions drew on research conducted on disability leadership in Indonesia under the Developmental Leadership Program, and were moderated by WLI GEDSI and Safeguards Specialist, Dr Mercy Masta.

Panellists

• Ipul Powaseu (Papua New Guinea), Senior Program Manager (Disability Inclusion) at PNG Women Lead and a disability rights and inclusion advocate of almost two decades whose efforts have been recognised with a Queen’s Honour medal.
• Emilline Law Kwang (Mauritius), Management Support Officer at the Public Sector Business Transformation Bureau, disability rights advocate, and Australia Awards Alumna.
• Dante Rigmalia (Indonesia), Chair of the Indonesian Disability Commission, passionate advocate for the rights of children with disabilities to a quality education, and Australia Awards Alumna.

Topics Explored

The online event featured a panel discussion, audience Q&A, and break-out group conversations and explored the leadership journeys of three leaders with disabilities to understand:

• What motivated them to lead,
• How their identities have shaped their leadership journeys,
• How leaders with disability influence change in their communities, workplaces and nations, and
• Challenges to leadership for people with disability and how to overcome them.

What's Next?

Catch up on all the insights shared during this event.

Download the summary paper or watch the event recording.