Decolonial Knowledge Mobilization (KMb) Framework
Our decolonial KMb approach aims to mobilize knowledge with and about girls and young women with disabilities, recognizing their historical exclusion from the KMb process and activities. We also aim to transform the invisible representations of women and girls with disabilities in the South by shifting away from the academia-led approach where researchers from the global North are the primary knowledge mobilizers. Our KMb activities are guided by the principles of Engagement, Relationships, Inclusivity, Empowerment, and Decolonization. With this approach, we seek to empower young women and girls with disabilities by working with them to mobilize their knowledge about leadership and activism.
How will we mobilize such knowledge to various audiences?
Capacity building: KMb strategies will be used as an integral part of leadership skills and activism. We work with young women and girls with disabilities in the global South to identify the project’s audiences, developing KMb strategies; and developing a variety of KMb tools.
Engagement: Our KMb strategies include different forms of engagement such as public screenings and the use of a photo exhibition to disseminate knowledge in each community and transnationally. Participants will share their cellphilm productions, photo exhibitions, ‘girlfestos’ about disability (advocacy messages produced by girls with disabilities), and zines with their peers. A Youth Leadership Circle will be established in Year 1 of the project to collaborate with the research and KMb teams and provide consultative guidance for the project development.
KMb activities: We apply a ‘learning across sites’ approach through different forms of transnational and local engagements. Our team work with partners, collaborators, and disabled women and girls in each site to develop decolonial KMb activities from their perspectives. This approach will ensure a positive and sustainable impact on knowledge users and communities in the global South.