Mzuzu Disability Organization

What We Do?

🩺 Healthy

Mzuzu Disability Organization advocates for accessible, inclusive health services that address the unique needs of women and girls with disabilities. MZUDO works with health facilities to reduce discrimination, promote sexual and reproductive health rights, ensure disability-friendly infrastructure, and train healthcare workers in inclusive practices for better service delivery.

🌍 Climate change

MZUDO ensures women and girls with disabilities are not left behind in climate change actions. It promotes inclusive climate adaptation strategies, accessible disaster risk reduction efforts, and participation in environmental decision-making. The organization empowers them to become climate champions and protect their communities while building resilience to environmental shocks.

🔬 research

Mzuzu Disability Organization conducts and supports inclusive research to inform disability-inclusive policies and programs. It prioritizes participatory research involving women and girls with disabilities to generate data that reflects their experiences, challenges, and needs, ensuring that evidence-based interventions are equitable, effective, and responsive to their realities.

🎓 Education

MZUDO promotes inclusive education by advocating for accessible school environments, disability-friendly teaching materials, and teacher training. The organization champions policies that eliminate barriers and enhance retention, transition, and completion rates for girls with disabilities, ensuring they gain quality education and equal opportunities for lifelong learning.

💼 Economic Empowernment

Mzuzu Disability Organization empowers women and girls with disabilities through vocational training, entrepreneurship support, and access to inclusive financial services. MZUDO partners with stakeholders to create employment opportunities, support business development, and promote fair labor practices, enabling sustainable livelihoods and reducing dependency for persons with disabilities.

🤝 Social Progrms

MZUDO ensures that women and girls with disabilities are included in all social protection and community programs. It advocates for disability-responsive social safety nets, accessible public services, and inclusive participation in cultural and development activities, ensuring dignity, voice, and equal rights within society.

📊 Our impacts

Healthy

Trained healthcare staff and improved clinic accessibility—resulting in more respectful, stigma-free care for women with disabilities..

Climate change

Ensured their inclusion in adaptation and disaster plans—building resilience and enabling leadership in community climate efforts. 

research

Produced evidence from participatory studies—driving more responsive and inclusive policy-making. .

Education

Advocated for accessible schools and teacher training—boosting enrollment, retention, and graduation rates for girls with disabilities.. .

Economic Empowerment

Provided vocational and business support—helping women launch micro-enterprises, increase income, and achieve financial independence. .

Social Programs

Pushed for accessible public services and social safety nets—leading to inclusive infrastructure and stronger representation in local policymaking. .

🌟 Core Values for MZUDO

Integrity & Accountability

Uphold honesty, transparency, and responsibility in our actions and use of resources—reflecting Malawi’s sector standards

Respect & Human Dignity

Value every woman and girl with a disability for who they are—not what their disability is—mirroring principles like “person‑first” language 

Equity & Inclusion

Ensure everyone has equal access to services, opportunities, and decision-making—proactively removing barriers .

Collaboration & Partnerships

Work with local stakeholders, health systems, schools, and NGOs to leverage strengths and avoid duplication .

Innovation & Learning

Embrace creative solutions, data-driven research, and continuous improvement to meet evolving needs .

Participation & Empowerment

Enable women and girls with disabilities to lead, self-advocate, and inform all our work—supporting their full agency

👩‍🦽 Core Beneficiary Groups

Women and girls with disabilities in Mzuzu and surrounding districts

Directly engaged through advocacy, training, research, and empowerment initiatives

Specific Beneficiary Reach

250 women with disabilities trained in knitting, tailoring, and carpet-making—gained business skills, produced and sold goods in Mzuzu and surrounding districts  

Specific Beneficiary Reach

MZUDO’s programs reach 60% women and girls with disabilities across Mzuzu district via policy advocacy, inclusion in public services, and awareness campaigns—scope confirmed by a 2023 Disability Rights Advocacy Fund small grant 

5

Districts

200

Volunteers

7500

target(beneficiaries)

1000

beneficiaries (reached)

Our partners

our partners in our work

Disability Right Funds

WEDO

Mzuzu City Council

Malawi Government

Our Team

Organization Secreteriate

Joyce Sichali

Executive Director

Muleza Moyo

Finance and administrative Officer

Mary Elizabeth Gwaza

Office Assistant

Omega Zulu

Programs Officer

Our board

Organization Board

Judith Chiumia

Board Chairperson

Grace Chavula

Vice Board chairperson

Hilda Zimba

Board Secretary

Zione Tembo

Members

Testimonial

What people are talking about our charity activities

lYTON SIMWAYI

LAWYER

MZUDO is bridging the gap between law and lived experience. Their grassroots advocacy ensures that disability rights are not just on paper — but practiced in real life.” — Human Rights Lawyer, Mzuzu Legal Aid Bureau

MUTHUZI MWASE

LOAN OFFICER

MZUDO is a key partner in ensuring our loan products reach women and girls with disabilities, who are often left out of financial systems. Their advocacy helps us design more inclusive services.” — NEEF Regional Coordinator, North

FESTON ZIBA

EDUCATIONIST

MZUDO’s advocacy has helped us see that inclusive education is not just about ramps — it’s about attitudes, teaching methods, and policy enforcement. Our teachers now receive disability-inclusive training.” — District Education Manager, Mzimba North

GVH KALIHENGA

TRADITIONAL LEADER

As traditional leaders, we have seen how MZUDO is transforming lives. Women and girls with disabilities, who were once hidden and unheard, are now active in community meetings and climate change initiatives. This is true inclusion.

About Us