Yetnebersh Nigussie, member of MIW Technical Advisory Committee, receives 2017 ‘Alternative Nobel Prize’

Yetnebersh Nigussie has dedicated her life to promoting the rights and inclusion of people with disabilities. She has been awarded the prestigious Right Livelihood Award, widely referred to as the ‘Alternative Nobel Prize’, for her determination to ensure that people with disabilities are never left behind.

Yetnebersh Nigussie grew up in rural Ethiopia. She became blind at the age of five following a preventable illness. Encouraged to complete her education, she is now a lawyer, campaigner and Senior Inclusion Advisor at Light for the World. Her story is testament to the importance of education for all children.

Since 2013, Yetnebersh has contributed to Handicap International’s Making it Work initiative, which advocates to prevent and respond to violence against women and girls with disabilities.

Yetnebersh is also a strong advocate of access to education for children with disabilities, one of HI’s key areas of work, in Ethiopia and around the world.

On receiving her award, Yetnebersh stated, “If I could change one thing in the world, I would change people’s mindsets to think that inclusion – not exclusion-- is the norm.” HI is proud to collaborate with advocates with disabilities who engage to make inclusion a reality for all.