An umbrella organisation of persons with disability has called on the government of Nigeria to adopt new legislation that will give millions of people with disabilities vital support.
The group, the Joint National Association of Persons with Disability, is urging ministers to ratify the African Disability Protocol (ADP) – believing it will help close disability inclusive policy gaps in Nigeria. They made this call at a one-day advocacy steering committee meeting held in Abuja on 17th of August 2021 and organised by Sightsavers.
The Government of Nigeria has committed and invested in national disability legislation through The Prohibition Against Discrimination of Persons with Disability Act 2018. In spite of this law, there are still numerous gaps unaddressed to protect the rights of over 25 million people with disability in Nigeria.
The African Charter on the Human Rights of Persons with Disability and Old Persons, also known as the African Disability Protocol, was launched in 2018. The Protocol is an African contextualization of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with disability and ten countries have signed this Protocol.
Sightsavers Country Director, Dr Sunday Isiyaku said: “I’m urging all disability advocates to come together for us to jointly influence Government to adopt the Protocol. There are millions of persons with disability in the north east region in Nigeria. They are not protected by any legislative document in the country. With the ratification of the ADP, their protection in periods of armed conflict or other humanitarian situations will be guaranteed”.
The CEO of the Albinism Foundation, Jake Epelle said: “In Nigeria, as a result of our cultural beliefs and myths, there are harmful practices that discriminate and infringe on the rights of persons with disability, particularly persons with albinism and those with intellectual disability. Unfortunately, there is no legal policy that protects the rights of these persons when they infringe on them, not even the National Disability Act”.
The acting National President for the Joint National Association of Persons with Disability (JONAPWD) added: “Family members are avoiding their relatives with disability. Article 3 of the African Disability Protocol makes provisions for the rights of family members and caregivers of people with disabilities who might otherwise be subject to discrimination due to their association with people with disabilities.
“Parents of children with disability and spouses of adults with disability are mostly the victims in these circumstances. This is one reason why the Government of Nigeria need to adopt the ADP as our national disability law does not protect our family members”.
The group also shared concerns that older people with disabilities are denied social insurance support such as the accommodation and rehabilitation they need to live a healthier life.
Racheal Inegbedion, Executive Director for Special Needs Initiative for Growth said: “There are strong links between ageing and disability. The ratification of the African disability protocol will help to protect rights of the elderly and as Africans, it is important we do everything to support our aged persons”.
At the end of this one-day meeting, an advocacy steering committee and engagement strategy was formulated by the national disability movement which will help in engaging and influencing all relevant stakeholders. Key disability leaders at this event include the Chairman of the UNCRPD committee, Barrister Danlami Basharu, National President of the Nigeria Association of the Blind – Ishaq Adamu, Founder of Down Syndrome Foundation Nigeria – Mrs Rose Mordi, all National president of other disability clusters among others.
1 comment
Well done