From Okwe Obi, Abuja
Inclusive Friends Association (IFA) and the Voice of Women Empowerment Foundation (VWEF) have intensified campaign against gender-based violence, especially for persons with disabilities, as part of the 16 Days of Activism.
The Federal Government had enacted the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act (VAPP), to criminalise maltreatment of persons with special needs and provide protection for the same persons.
IFA Programme Officer, Susan Ihuoma, who spoke at a 2-day workshop for women with disabilities recently in Abuja, said victims needed to be knowledgeable of their rights of existence and protection.
According to her, the programme was designed to simplify the VAPP Act, adding that the participants were drawn from the FCT.
Ihuoma said: “Today, the Inclusive Friends Association, in partnership with Voice of Women Empowerment Foundation are commemorating the 16 days of activism by inviting community women with disabilities, women with disabilities in the six area councils within Abuja, the whole essence is to increase their capacity, strengthen their capacity to at least know what the Disability Law says.
“And also know what the violence against persons prohibition, because without that, the essence of the 16 days of activism, which aims to reduce or eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls, who will be defeated so we aim to build their capacities even at the grassroots level.
“That was what necessitated this particular engagement because we want them to know their rights as persons with disability, women with disabilities and, also, when they are violated, because of course, the theme says unite, invest to prevent violence against women and girls.
“So for them to be able to prevent it. They need to have the right information.”
Also, Technical Assistant on Community Engagement of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Abuja Chapter, Inakeme Ojineme, explained that workshop was in line with the African Union Agenda 2063, which encourages inclusivity.
“Bringing these women across the six area councils is very key and laudable because the are the most vulnerable” she said.
A participant, Jamila Abdullahi, charged state governments to domesticate the law in order to stop violence against persons with disabilities.
She added: The programme is about training women with disability on their rights and how to tackle it when they feel it has been violated.
“I personally learnt a lot from this training. I notice a lot of violations even within my area. Now, I better prepared to take up such issues when I notice such in the future.”