From Adanna Nnamani, Abuja
Civil society groups have condemned the continued abuse, stigmatisation and discrimination against People with Disabilities (PWDs) in the country.
The organisations, comprising the Gender Strategy Advancement International (GSAI) and the Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA), among other partners, demanded equal access to education, healthcare, employment, transportation and other necessities for PWDs.
The groups made the call at an inclusive investigative training on accountability in governance for reporters and editors which they organised in Abuja on Monday.
Speaking at the event, The Executive Director, GSAI, Mrs Adaora Onyechere Jack, said said that despite the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018, which was signed in 2019 to provide for the full integration of persons with disabilities into the society, marginalisation was still quite high.
She noted that the workshop was to reawaken the consciousness of people to the implementation of the Act especially as its trial period elapses in January 2024.
According to Jack, “We often see that there is a gap in the narratives and stories that shape people with disabilities. We also often see that a lot of their engagements and the story telling style and the gender identities that address their issues are often in the negative. So, one of the key understandings is that we want to empower reporters and help them to understand the ability to be inclusive and to also remind the media that without exclusive reportage, we cannot have a democracy that we so yearn for.
“Remember that the transition period for people with disabilities ends January 2024. That means that the government ought to have transitioned and had inclusive transportation, inclusive schools, inclusive employment but, then we can actually categorically say that we are not there yet.
“So, I think for us, it is a reminder and a wake up call and this engagement has been truly supported by OSIWA and I think that one of the things that they are trying to address is to open the doors and let conversations be penetrative.
Also speaking, Bilikisu Yakubu, National Coordinator, Advocacy for Women with Disabilities Initiative (AWWDI), said persons with disabilities, especially women, face a lot of difficulties in the country.
She noted that it was important to involve them in decision making processes to give them opportunities to make impact that would address their peculiar needs.
“When we talk about issues of gender, especially women, we face a whole lot of challenges not to talk of women with disabilities.
“So, we are appealing to the government that the 35 percent affirmative action should be prioritised. Women should be given the opportunity to be part of the decision making process in government and other aspects of life.
“Also, for women with disabilities, we are still coming up, we are still struggling to be recognised. We are still fighting stigmatisation, we are fighting discrimination. So, we know it is a long journey but I am optimistic that with time, we will get there,” Yakubu added.