The Association pour le Renforcement des Capacités des Personnes Handicapées (In English the Association for Strengthening Capacities of People with a Disability or ARCAPH) is a Malian local organisation created in 2004. ARCAPH actively contributes to local development at the district level by offering various trainings such as vocational skills, leadership, awareness raising, advocacy, and psychosocial development.

Excluding people with disabilities puts a major brake on the journey towards an inclusive society.

The association’s objectives are:

• To promote the UN Convention to the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
• To empower people with disabilities, increasing their social inclusion
• To promote respecting differences
• To restore the credibility and the dignity of people with disabilities

Association pour le Renforcement des Capacités des Personnes Handicapées (In English the Association for Strengthening Capacities of People with a Disability or ARCAPH) is a Malian local association led by women facing social discrimination, challenging the current status quo of women in the country. In Mali religion and tradition play a strong role in the daily lives of women which can at times be detrimental for the well-being of women regardless of class, age, and ability. Women who identify as unmarried, living with HIV/AIDS, infertile and/or living with a disability face the most challenges. The project titled “Personal development for disabled women” supports 20 women facing discrimination and exclusion to empower them in Bamako during a period of 12 months.

The project expects to create a safe space where no one will feel persecuted or excluded. A space where all for one and one for all applies through personal development and growth for more self-esteem.