Kadidjatou Amadou

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Kadidjatou Amadou
Born (1984-09-11) 11 September 1984 (age 40)
Occupation(s)Disability rights activist, entrepreneur and para-athlete
OrganizationNational Association of People with Disabilities (ANHL)
Children4

Kadidjatou Amadou Salifou (born 11 September 1984) is a Nigerien disability rights activist, social entrepreneur and para-athlete.

Biography

Amadou was born on 11 September 1984 and contracted polio when she was aged 2, leading to the loss of the use of her legs. She was treated at the National Hospital in Niamey and at a hospital in Lomé, Togo. [1] [2] She dropped out of school aged 15 and supported herself by sewing, [2] later opening her own workshop and training other people with disabilities for free. [1]

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Amadou joined a group of Nigerien tailors in the ICRC Career Development Programme (CDP). [2] Amadou is the representative of disabled people on the Consultative Council for Refoundation (CCR) [3] and is president of the National Association of People with Disabilities (ANHL) in Niger. [4] She is also a member of the National Association of Locomotor Disabled People. [3]

Amadou has also competed in international sporting events in disciplines including weightlifting, javelin throwing and wheelchair racing. [5] She has competed at the African Games, [6] winning three medals at the 2003 All-Africa Games in Abuja, Nigeria, including winning the gold medal in weightlifting. [3] [5] She also competed in the F54/55/56 javelin throwing event at the 2012 Summer Paralympics in London, England, [7] [8] [9] becoming the first female athlete with polio to represent Niger at any Paralympic Games. [10]

References

  1. 1 2 "Women of the Sahel: Portraits of women living through violence and conflict in the Sahel". International Review of the Red Cross. 24 May 2022. Retrieved 17 August 2025.
  2. 1 2 3 "The Power Of Sewing: How One Woman Embraced Her Disability And Built Her Own Place In The World Of Work". Adecco. 27 October 2021. Archived from the original on 22 July 2025. Retrieved 17 August 2025.
  3. 1 2 3 Boulama, Zarami (1 July 2025). "Kadidjatou Amadou, la voix des handicapés au Conseil Consultatif de la Refondation". Agence Nigérienne de Presse (in French). Archived from the original on 1 July 2025. Retrieved 17 August 2025.
  4. ↑ Mamoudou, Ousmane (7 December 2023). "Appui du CICR à Kadidjatou Amadou, femme handicapée". Studio Kalangou - Au rythme du Niger (in French). Archived from the original on 21 May 2024. Retrieved 17 August 2025.
  5. 1 2 Toye, Aida. "Kadidjatou, champion and mother of all courage". Voice Global. Archived from the original on 14 December 2024. Retrieved 17 August 2025.
  6. ↑ "Kadidjatou Amadou". Openpowerlifting.org. Retrieved 17 August 2025.
  7. ↑ "Kadidjatou Amadou - Paralympic Athlete Profile". International Paralympic Committee. Retrieved 17 August 2025.
  8. ↑ "Kadija, the first female athlete from Niger". International Institute of Sport. 29 August 2012. Retrieved 17 August 2025.
  9. ↑ "Kwa Kina - Michezo ya Paralympiki kufunguliwa rasmi". BBC Swahili (in Swahili). 29 August 2012. Retrieved 17 August 2025.
  10. ↑ Unicef UK (6 September 2012), Kadidjatou Amadou: Niger, Javelin , retrieved 17 August 2025
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