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From Okwe Obi, Abuja
The Voice of Disability Initiative (VDI) has demanded the enforcement of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disability (Prohibition) Act of 2018, to stem abuse of people with special needs.
VDI Executive Director, Barrister Edeh Catherine Chinyere, who stated this on Wednesday at an event marking this year’s International Women’s Day (IWD), in Abuja, which was funded by AmplifyChange, said most people take advantage of the plight of PWDs to abuse them.
Chinyere specifically said the 5% employment slot reserved for persons with disabilities should be implemented.
According to her, the fight against stigmatisation should be collective and not be allowed to be handled by the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities.
She charged those affected to slam defaulting organisations with lawsuits, as a deterrence to others.
To drive home her point, placards were displayed with inscriptions like: Invest in women with disabilities today; make our health system inclusive to accommodate the needs of women with disabilities; I am woman with disabilities; I am productive, leave no woman with disabilities behind; women with disabilities have rights too, respect them.
She said: “Recognizing the urgency and the need to ensure that the rights of persons with Disabilities are protected in all spheres of lives, We, People with Disabilities under the ages of Voice of Disability Initiative in Nigeria (VDI) is calling on:
“The Federal Ministry of Works & Housing. The Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors, Surveyors Council of Nigeria and Nigerian Institute of Estate Surveyors and Valuers to monitor accessibility requirements for public structures, modification of public buildings and approval of building plans in line with the provisions of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disability (Prohibition) Act 2018
“The Federal Civil Service Commission, Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment and other agencies to monitor the implementation of 5% employment slots for persons with Disabilities.
“All agencies of government in Federal and are private sector inclusive need to imbibe the principles and tenets of the Dadon Against Persons with Disability (Prohibition) Act 2018 to ensure full implementation of the Act.
“As a non-governmental organization that advocate the protection of rights of persons with disabilities, especially women and girls, Voice of Disability Initiative (VDI) is open to collaboration and partnership that would bridge the existing knowledge gaps and ensure full implementation of the Act.”
