As part of its goal to improve the livelihood of persons with disabilities in the Northwest Region, the SEEPD Program supported the Inclusive Atoghu Festival organized by the Northwest Fashion Designers Association (NOFADA). The event, which brought together persons with disabilities from different divisions of the Northwest region, took place from July 25-27, 2024 at the Delegation of Arts and Culture in Bamenda. The event was launched by the representative of the Northwest Governor, who commended the initiative and called on persons with disabilities in the region to come out of their shells.

According to Project Coordinator, Lohshie Eugene, the CBC Health Services is inspired by the festival’s mission to celebrate diversity and promote inclusivity within the region’s fashion industry. He added that the commitment of persons with disabilities to showcasing talent from all backgrounds and abilities aligns perfectly with the SEEPD Program’s values and dedication to fostering a more inclusive society.

Thanks to CBM, financial support was provided to improve the participation of some designers with disabilities in the festival, offer a start-up kit to seven designers with disabilities, and provide resources to facilitate workshops on mainstreaming persons with disabilities in fashion design. During the event, the President of NOFADA, Vumomsi Ngwefonta, acknowledged the SEEPD Program’s support, noting its crucial role in promoting inclusion.

The event was marked by a workshop in which one of the facilitators, Nogning Armelle, the Board Chairperson of the Coordinating Unit of the Association of Persons with Disabilities, trained participants on Atoghu from a “Social Inclusion and Accessibility Perspective.” She taught them how to design clothing for inclusion and accessibility, as well as the symbolic significance of Atoghu patterns in promoting social inclusion. The festival also hosted an inclusive runway, where women with disabilities from the Community Creative Center for Women and Girls with Disabilities actively participated. Nogning Armelle was voted the winner of the MTN People’s Choice Award for Best Dressed Participant. In her speech, she thanked the organizers for their hard work in ensuring a successful event.

It is hoped that various stakeholders will put in place strategies that ensure the active participation of persons with disabilities in societal activities.