… As UN Women Plan Cash Palliatives For Vulnerable Persons, WGWDs
The Network of Disabled Women (NDW) has urged government at all levels to ensure that mobility aides, interpreters and signages are made available in all hospitals to aid easy access for persons living with disabilities.
This was part of the communiqué reached at the end of a one-day stakeholder’s forum organised by NDW in partnership with ActionAid Nigeria and Global Affairs Canada in Abuja, recently.
Chief Executive Officer of NDW, Mrs. Lois Auta Udonkata said stakeholders at the forum also resolved that town planners should be carried along to create a well arranged society in order to make mobility and direction easier for persons with Disabilities.
Network of Disabled Women CEO, Lois Auta
The Forum also called for collaboration between the government and CSOs, while also demanding that Persons with Disabilities be given jobs equal to their qualification irrespective of their disability.
“Mobility aids, interpreters, signage should be available in hospitals. To make learning inclusive and enjoyable for all, interpreters should be available, letterings should be made bold and transcriptions should be available,” the forum noted.
She said in the course of deliberation, participants at the workshop noted that during the peak of the Covid-19 era, Women and Girls With Disabilities (WGWD) were not able to access proper health care services because the hospitals are not inclusive.
They also noted that there were no interpreters in the hospitals, no ramps put in place to make mobility easier and this greatly affected their physical and mental health.
“There has been a high rise of gender and sexual based violence and accessing justice for the victims has turned out to be a herculean task. The pandemic created a better way of learning while at home which is E- Learning, but it didn’t take into consideration the needs of Persons with Disabilities.
“The novel virus has created dependence online, surfing the internet and applying for jobs online but unfortunately not all websites are accessible for those with visual impairment,” she said.
The NDW boss also disclosed that she received a call from the Director General of National Directorate of Employment (NDE) who has indicated interest to train and empower women.
She added that the Deputy Country Representative of UN Women also revealed plans to empower vulnerable groups, including women and girls with disabilities with cash transfer as palliatives.
Auta said the forum, with the theme “Safeguarding the rights of women and girls in Covid-19 Era”, was aimed at creating awareness on the rights of Women and Girls with Disabilities and to put some mechanisms in place to safeguard their rights.
Participants at the forum included Lansana Wommeh, representative of UN Women Country Deputy, Mrs. Victoria Lar, representative of Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, Mrs. Joyce Yamap, Director of Gender Unit, NDE, Abiodun Bayiewu, Country Director- Global Rights Nigeria, SP Alkassim Mohammed and DSP Onanuga Yetunde, representative of the Inspector General of Police, and Mrs Ranti Olawoye of NAPTIP, Barr. Florence Marcus of Amputee Coalition of Nigeria, Constance Onyemaechi, Media and Communication Officer for NDW, Mrs. Adedoyin representing the hearing impaired, National Human Rights Commission and CEO Network of Disabled Women, Mrs. Lois Auta Udonkata.