Empowering Women and Girls with Disabilities: Fighting Discrimination, and Promoting Inclusion

The 2024 Justice For Women Lecture will feature Juliet Mwongeli Muema and Maria Omare, both of Kenya. Muema and Omare will present their lecture, Empowering Women and Girls with Disabilities: Fighting Discrimination, and Promoting Inclusion, on Thursday, September, 26, from 6:30 – 8 p.m. at Hannaford Hall, located in the Abromson Community Education Center on the USM campus. Register to attend in person or virtually. Parking information can be found in the attached JFW Parking Information pdf.

Juliet Mwongeli Muema 

Juliet Mwongeli Muema is a visually impaired sustainable human development advocate, para-cyclist, and inclusive women’s rights advocate. In addition to her role as a Program Officer for The Action Foundation’s Adolescent Girls and Young Women’s Empowerment Program, Juliet brings a wealth of experience as a global para-cyclist. Having competed internationally, she uses her platform to challenge societal perceptions of disabilities and advocate for gender equality and disability rights. Juliet’s journey as a para-cyclist has not only showcased her determination and resilience but has also inspired others to break barriers and pursue their passions.

With a diploma in Counselling and Psychology and a bachelor’s degree in Sustainable Human Development, Juliet combines her academic background with hands-on experience to drive positive change in her community. Her dedication to mentorship, leadership development, and women’s empowerment reflects her commitment as an agent of progress and inclusivity. Through her advocacy work and personal example, Juliet continues to inspire young girls and women to dream big, strive for excellence, and embrace their full potential.

Maria Omare 

Maria Omare is a distinguished disability inclusion advocate who, as the Founder and Executive Director of The Action Foundation (TAF), has devoted her career to building inclusive and resilient communities where those with disabilities can thrive. With 13 years of experience in nonprofit management, Maria’s expertise lies in fundraising, strategic development, and leading projects aimed at supporting women, children, and girls with disabilities.

Throughout their career, Maria has played a crucial role in various projects and research initiatives focused on areas such as inclusive education, early childhood care and education, and sexual and reproductive health rights of women and girls with disabilities. She contributed her expertise to several media and research publications. Her work has been featured across many media outlets. 

Her exceptional contributions to disability advocacy and empowerment of marginalized communities have earned her numerous prestigious awards, including the Ford Motor Company International Fellowship, Cordes Fellowship, Business Daily’s Top 40 under 40, and the US State Department’s Professional Fellows Program Alumni Impact Award in 2019 for her significant contribution to Inclusive Education in Kenya.

Maria’s tireless efforts in driving social change have been acknowledged by Michelle Obama, who nominated her to be among Red Magazine UK’s 25 Visionaries to watch Maria Omare continues to work on behalf of marginalized communities across the globe.