Kibra Kebede Aregawi

Taking a break and chatting with colleagues at the office.

Kibra Kebede Aregawi, She/her/hers

Founder & Advisor | Disability Advocate, Ethiopia

Kibra Kebede Aregawi is a disability rights advocate and founder of Ethiopia’s first Parkinson’s support organization. Having lived with a disability for 26 years, she brings personal experience and deep community commitment to her work supporting people with Parkinson’s and other disabilities. Since May 2024, Kibra has driven significant systemic change in Ethiopia’s healthcare landscape. She helped finalize national treatment guidelines that officially include Parkinson’s disease care at primary healthcare centers, making it possible for patients to access treatment closer to home rather than traveling to the capital. She also facilitated training for 120 rural general doctors to expand local clinical capacity. Over the past two years, Kibra has helped ensure that 550 patients receive free medication and that 1,200 people have access to free physiotherapy and speech therapy. For 120 bedridden individuals, she launched regular, free home-based nursing care and access to adult diapers. Her work also supports caregivers, including through initiatives that have helped 30 caregivers launch small businesses. Kibra is bringing clinical care, dignity, and economic stability to people with disabilities in underserved communities.