“Disability is a condition – not something that defines a whole life.” – Jagoda Risteska, CEO of MC-Mobility Challenge

Why we care: Discrimination against women living with disabilities in Macedonia leads to their low self-esteem and social exclusion.

How we’re solving this: Personal empowerment workshops raise women’s awareness of their rights and the fact that disability is a condition, rather than an identity.

Due to physical and social barriers. many women with disabilities in Macedonia cannot access schools, hospitals, and public transportation. Without an education, they cannot gain meaningful employment. Additionally, prejudice from family members and social stigma results in low self-esteem, isolation, mistreatment, and social exclusion. It is difficult to address the challenges that women living with disabilities face since officials in Macedonia have no statistics on the exact number of people living with disabilities and no system for collecting relevant information.

Founded in 2009, by a group of nine women living with and without disabilities, MC-Mobility Challenge works to promote the rights and social integration of all people living with disabilities, regardless of their background. This year, Mobility Challenge will provide women’s rights and leadership development workshops in the capital city of Skopje to 20 women from marginalized Albanian, Turkish, and Bosnian ethnic communities.

Businesswomen and mothers living with disabilities will provide support and mentorship to women participants, showing that it is possible to overcome stereotypes, to lead companies, and build thriving families. Participants will work with a certified coach on personal and professional empowerment by setting goals, building self-esteem, and improving their communication skills.

By challenging their perspective on their own disabilities, participants will come to embrace their innate right to participate in every aspect of community life. The benefits participants receive through this training will hopefully spread to their families, workplaces, and communities, ensuring greater inclusion of all people living with disabilities.