The Justice For Women Lecture (JFW) Series brings a distinguished speaker to Maine annually to present a public lecture and to contribute to a global conversation about justice for women and girls in the developing world.

The Lecture Series was established in 2011 with the generous support and leadership of Catherine Lee of Lee International.

2024 Justice For Women Lecture
Moved to the Fall

The thirteenth annual Justice For Women Lecture, Empowering Woman and Girls with Disabilities: Fighting Discrimination, and Promoting Inclusion was presented by Juliet Mwongeli Muema and Maria Omare on Thursday, September 26, 2024 at the Abromson Community Education Center, Portland, Maine. The Justice for Women Week of Events will be September 23 – 27.

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Empowering Women and Girls with Disabilities:
Fighting Discrimination, and Promoting Inclusion

Juliet Mwongeli Muema

Juliet Mwongeli Muema is a visually impaired sustainable human development advocate, para-cyclist, and inclusive women’s rights advocate. In addition to her role as a Program Officer for The Action Foundation’s Adolescent Girls and Young Women’s Empowerment Program, Juliet brings a wealth of experience as a global para-cyclist. Having competed internationally, she uses her platform to challenge societal perceptions of disabilities and advocate for gender equality and disability rights. Juliet’s journey as a para-cyclist has not only showcased her determination and resilience but has also inspired others to break barriers and pursue their passions.
With a diploma in Counseling and Psychology and a bachelor’s degree in Sustainable Human Development, Juliet combines her academic background with hands-on experience to drive positive change in her community. Her dedication to mentorship, leadership development, and women’s empowerment reflects her commitment as an agent of progress and inclusivity. Through her advocacy work and personal example, Juliet continues to inspire young girls and women to dream big, strive for excellence, and embrace their full potential.

Maria Omare

Maria Omare is a distinguished disability inclusion advocate who, as the Founder and Executive Director of The Action Foundation (TAF), has devoted her career to building inclusive and resilient communities where those with disabilities can thrive. With 13 years of experience in nonprofit management, Maria’s expertise lies in fundraising, strategic development, and leading projects aimed at supporting women, children, and girls with disabilities.
 
Throughout their career, Maria has played a crucial role in various projects and research initiatives focused on areas such as inclusive education, early childhood care and education, and sexual and reproductive health rights of women and girls with disabilities. She contributed her expertise to several media and research publications. Her work has been featured across many media outlets.
 
Her exceptional contributions to disability advocacy and empowerment of marginalized communities have earned her numerous prestigious awards, including the Ford Motor Company International Fellowship, Cordes Fellowship, Business Daily’s Top 40 under 40, and the US State Department’s Professional Fellows Program Alumni Impact Award in 2019 for her significant contribution to Inclusive Education in Kenya.
 
Maria’s tireless efforts in driving social change have been acknowledged by Michelle Obama, who nominated her to be among Red Magazine UK’s 25 Visionaries to watch Maria Omare continues to work on behalf of marginalized communities across the globe.
  • Patrícia Campos Mello, reporter at large and columnist at Folha de São Paulo newspaper, 2023, “Sexism, Lies and the Fight for Truth: a Reporter’s Story” [Video]
  • Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of UNAIDS and an Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations, 2022, “The Struggle for a More Equal World – Why It’s Essential and How We Can Win” [Video]
  • Galina Angarova, Executive Director at Cultural Survival; Quannah ChasingHorse, Land Protector and Climate Activist; Sherri Mitchell,  Lawyer, Author, and Indigenous Rights Activist; Sara Olsvig, Ph.D. Fellow and Former MP of Greenland, 2021, “The Impact of Climate Change on Indigenous Women” [Video]
  • Maria Luisa Aguilar Rodriguez (Mexico), International Advocacy Officer at the Miguel Agustín Pro Juárez Human Rights Center (Centro Prodh) 2019, “The Human Rights Crisis in Mexico: Origins, Impacts, Opportunities” [Video]
  • Mariam Jalabi (Syria), Representative of the National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces’ Office at the United Nations in New York 2018, “The Struggle for Human Rights: From Syria” [Video]
  • Zainah Anwar (Malaysia), Director of Musawah and Founding Member and former Executive Director of Sisters Islam 2017, “What Islam, Whose Islam? The Struggle for Women’s Right to Equality and Justice in Muslim Contexts” [Video]
  • Dr. Lindiwe Sibanda (Zimbabwe), CEO of FANRPAN 2016, “Overcoming Food Insecurity – Ideas & Inspirations from Zimbabwe to Maine” [Video]
  • Ruchira Gupta (India), Founder & President of Apne Aap Women Worldwide 2015, “Ending Sex Trafficking by Putting the Last Girl First” [Video]
  • Dr. Sima Samar (Afghanistan), Chair of the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission 2014, “Women’s Rights in Afghanistan” [Video]
  • Hon. Albie Sachs, former activist and lawyer (South Africa) 2013, “50 Years with Nelson Mandela: From Law Breaking to Law Making” (special lecturer)
  • Leymah Gbowee (Liberia), 2011 Nobel Peace Laureate, Author, and Liberian Peace Activist 2013, “The Rule of Law and Justice for Victims of Sexual Violence” [Video]
  • Hon. Unity Dow (Botswana), International Human Rights Advocate, Novelist, and Former Judge, Botswana High Court
    2012, “Juggling Truths: When Justice is a Moving Target” [Video]

Courage is Contagious Award

The Courage is Contagious Award is awarded annually at the Justice For Women Lecture to an outstanding woman leader who demonstrates a commitment to the mission of the Justice For Women Lecture Series.

Learn More

Want to learn more about the Justice For Women Lecture? Check out this short video: