From 16 to 17 March, WAG Disability Rights and DAPP held a two-day Networking Committee Meeting in Lilongwe for the United for African Disability Protocol Project (U4ADP).

Teams from both organisations came together to review progress made so far and plan the work ahead. The meeting marked a key moment in a shared effort to put the African Disability Protocol into practice across Malawi.

The African Disability Protocol sets out clear standards for the rights of persons with disabilities across the continent. For WAG and DAPP, the U4ADP is a direct path to turning those standards into real change. Both organisations used the two days to assess what has been achieved, identify gaps, and agree on steps for the next quarter.

WAG Disability Rights brings its deep focus on women and girls with disabilities to this work. Many of these women and girls face barriers that others do not — in health care, justice, and daily life. Through the U4ADP, WAG is pushing for the protocol to speak directly to their needs and for duty bearers at every level to take action.

DAPP’s involvement strengthens the reach of this work across communities. Together, the two organisations are building a network that can hold government and service providers to account. The meeting reinforced that commitment, with both teams aligning on shared goals and next steps.

Looking ahead, the U4ADP has the potential to shift how Malawi protects and supports persons with disabilities — particularly women and girls. As the project moves into its next phase, WAG and DAPP remain focused on making sure no one is left out of that progress.