The first global award recognizing the achievements of women with disabilities aims to break through stereotypes to show their skills as leaders and problem solvers, its founder said Monday. A filmmaker, a political campaigner and a public health expert were named the first winners of the Her Ability awards, which were announced to coincide with World Disability Day. Its founder, Ethiopian campaigner Yetnebersh Nigussie, said she wanted to put a spotlight on disabled women's achievements to combat the idea that they are passive victims. More than a billion people — about 15 percent of the world's population — have some form of disability, according to the World Health Organization. The first winners of the awards, which were set up by Nigussie and the global disability organization Light for the World, all came from the developing world.

Source: Ethiopian News December 04, 2018 03:00 UTC