“Disability is not inability”: Salma’s devoted leadership to disability rights in Zanzibar

Everywhere AKF works we meet community-minded individuals who are strengthening the fabric of civil society. These community weavers are unsung heroes who volunteer their time and expertise, mobilise others, and bring diverse groups together to bring about transformative change within their communities.

This work is local, often challenging, and frequently goes unheralded. Yet the efforts of community weavers form the foundation for so much of what AKF is able to achieve. They are the leaders and members of a network of more than 50,000 civil society organisations we partner with, ensuring our impact is responsive to community needs and aspirations. 

Each month throughout 2024, we will be sharing the stories of community weavers from around the world who are bridging and bettering their communities.

This is Salma’s story.

My name is Salma Saadat and I live in Zanzibar. I am 60 years old. I was a schoolteacher for 16 years before finding my true passion: empowering people with disabilities to take on leadership roles, establish successful businesses, and access higher education. I have a disability myself; I aim to inspire others, particularly women, by showing them that disability is not inability.

After an accident during my childhood, I was left physically disabled, but I have never let my disability stop me from following my dreams. I have dedicated my life to eliminating discrimination against people with disabilities and making sure that we are not left behind.

My advocacy career began in 2002 when I worked at the Zanzibar Association of People with Developmental Disabilities (ZAPDD) as a programme manager. This job presented me with many new opportunities, including addressing the House of Representatives regarding the review of Zanzibar’s disability policy. Today, I am Director of the Zanzibar Center for Disability and Inclusive Development (ZACEDID) and represent people with disabilities as a member of the African Women Leaders Network and the State University of Zanzibar.

Through fundraising efforts, I provide women with disabilities with education, assistive devices, and rehabilitation. I deliver entrepreneurship and leadership training to women with disabilities, many of whom now run successful businesses and hold leadership positions. In 2005, one of my trainees became a member of the House of Representatives – the institution of democratic representation for the people of Zanzibar – and is now Clerk of the House, playing a crucial administrative role in the functioning of the legislative body. I am very proud to inspire women with disabilities and watch them succeed.

Throughout my career, I have never been afraid to stand on my own two feet. After working at ZAPDD, which I joined after sacrificing my teaching career, I worked hard to improve my level of education and later founded two organisations for people with disabilities: ZACEDID and the Organization of Women with Disability Zanzibar (JUWAUZA). I also helped establish the Zanzibar Muslim Women AIDS Support Organization (ZAMWASO) and the Zanzibar Federation of Disabled People Organizations (SHIJUWAZA).

In 2017, I returned to ZAPDD after receiving a chairperson position and began to restore projects that I had worked on previously. The Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar recently established a National Council for People with Disabilities, of which I am also the chairperson.

My advice for others is to sacrifice your time to help those in need. If you leave a positive mark on your community, you will never regret your sacrifices and you will be remembered for your contributions. Remember that collaborating and networking with others is the best strategy for success.

My hope for the future is to see greater inclusion of people with disabilities in every aspect of life. I also hope to encourage people with disabilities to volunteer their time to support other people with disabilities.