Her Abilities is the first global award honouring women with disabilities who have achieved greatness in their life or field of work. It is a pioneering initiative, launched in 2018 by Light for the World along with Right Livelihood Award winner Yetnebersh Nigussie.

Women with disabilities are one of the most marginalised groups globally. Their leadership potential and contributions are so often ignored. 

Her Abilities aims to tell those stories which are too seldom told.

By highlighting the achievements of women with disabilities, the Award aims to celebrate success; break down barriers in public perception; and build a strong network of women committed to the further pursuit of equality and excellence. 

There are three categories:

1. Health & Education 
   Women with disabilities from the health or education sector, including but not limited to: teachers, teaching assistants, headmasters, university professors, doctors, surgeons, nurses, community health workers, etc.
2. Rights
   Women with disabilities from the advocacy and rights sector, who advocate for the rights of people with disabilities and their inclusion. They could be working for an NGO or charity, a business, within a governmental organisation, or simply in their local communities to achieve vital change.
3. Arts, Culture & Sports
   ​​​​​​​Women with disabilities from the arts, culture and sports sectors, including but not limited to: artists, actors, comedians, poets, Paralympians, runners, singers, swimmers, writers, etc.

Women with disabilities (from the age of 18) can be nominated. 

They must fit into one of the three categories mentioned above.

• Jury members and their family members
• Light for the World staff and Board members
• Anyone who does not identify as a woman with a disability

Please use the nomination form provided on the Her Abilities website.
In case you find the online form difficult to use, you can also download it, fill it in, and email it to her-abilities@light-for-the-world.org.
All nominees and their nominators will be contacted by the ending of the judging process.

The jury will consider the following primary criteria in judging the winner:

• Impact
  To what extent this person has achieved excellence in their life and field of work
• Recognition
  If this person has an untold or underreported story which particularly deserves to be told 
• Relevance
  If this person’s story has a relevance to current rights and social debates, which could inspire others into action

In addition the jury may, as a secondary consideration, look at the balance between the three category winners in any given year (including e.g. geographical spread, diversity in personal profiles, and types of achievement).

The benefits for the winners are:

• They will join a celebrated network of other successful women who commit to finding opportunities to support each other in their further pursuit of justice, equality and excellence.
• Light for the World will open their networks and will try to ensure speaking opportunities for the winners.
• Light for the World’s communications team will promote the winners’ stories via media and online work, ensuring they and their projects get more of the public attention they deserve.
• They will receive a certificate and a physical award. 

Her Abilities is a purely honorary award.