Disability Justice Fund for Women Uganda, Ghana and Tanzania: The Complete Guide to This Groundbreaking Grant

Most funding programmes are designed for women with disabilities. The Disability Justice Fund for Women is different. It was designed by them. That single distinction makes this one of the most important and most meaningful grant opportunities available to disability-led organisations in Uganda, Ghana, and Tanzania today. If your organisation works with or is led by women with disabilities, this is an opportunity you need to follow closely.

While the fund is not currently open for new applications, it remains a landmark resource for grassroots groups. In this post, we cover what the fund offers and how it works so you can be ready for the next call. To stay informed, keep an eye on my blog, ablepath.africa, and the official ADD International channels for further info on the next application window.

What Is the Disability Justice Fund for Women?

The Disability Justice Fund for Women (DJFW) is a grant programme administered by ADD International, an organisation that has worked in disability inclusion across Africa and Asia for decades. The fund was created specifically for grassroots organisations and groups led by women with disabilities in three countries: Ghana, Tanzania, and Uganda.

What sets it apart is its origin story. Rather than being designed by funders in a boardroom, the DJFW was co-created by women disability activists from the target countries. These women determined the fund’s priorities, identified the most marginalised groups, and shaped the application process to be genuinely accessible for small organisations that often struggle with complex donor requirements.

The African Disability Protocol: Why This Fund Exists

To understand the DJFW, you need to understand the African Disability Protocol (ADP). The ADP is a human rights treaty adopted by the African Union to address the rights of persons with disabilities on the continent. It addresses issues unique to the African context, including explicit protections against harmful cultural practices.

Uganda, Ghana, and Tanzania are part of the framework to advance these rights. The DJFW specifically funds organisations advocating for and raising awareness about the ADP at the community level.

Why Women With Disabilities Need This Fund

Women with disabilities remain among the most consistently excluded groups from development programming, economic opportunity, and justice systems. In Uganda alone, disability prevalence among women stands at 15 percent, compared to 10 percent among men. Historically, international funding has flowed to larger organisations, leaving small grassroots groups without the resources to scale their impact. The DJFW was created to correct that imbalance.

Grant Details and Eligibility

The DJFW typically offers two grant sizes:

• Small grants: Available to both registered and unregistered groups, with no minimum operating history required.
• Large grants: Up to $20,000 USD for registered organisations operating for at least two years.

The fund is open to organisations led by women with disabilities. The leadership requirement is clear: at least half of the group’s leaders or board members must be women with disabilities. Refugees and non-citizens resident in the target countries are also eligible to apply.

What Activities Does the Fund Support?

The DJFW supports a broad range of activities, including:

• Advocacy on the African Disability Protocol and disability policies.
• Skills development and movement building for women and girls with disabilities.
• Improving accessibility and inclusion for marginalised groups.
• Organisational development and financial sustainability.
• Income generation activities for economic empowerment.

Learning from Previous Grantees

The first cohort of grantees shows the fund’s commitment to community-rooted work. Examples include Inclusi Talk, which amplifies voices through digital activism; Empower Her Disability Network Uganda, which runs leadership camps; and groups like the Bududa District Hard of Hearing Association and Kyenjojo Women with Hard of Hearing Association, which focus on rights education in rural areas.

How to Stay Updated

Applications are typically submitted online through the ADD International website, with accessible options via email and WhatsApp.

Although applications are currently closed, you should prepare now. To check the current status and get notified about the next open round, visit add.org.uk/djfw-2.

Be sure to bookmark ablepath.africa and check back regularly. I will post updates as soon as the next application cycle is announced. If your organisation is led by women with disabilities, this fund is built for you. Stay ready for the next round.