The President/Chief Executive Officer of Network of Disabled Women, Lois Auta, has demanded inclusive political participation for women and girls with disabilities in the country.
Speaking at a press conference on the need for inclusion in the ongoing political activities in Abuja on Thursday, Auta said there is a low level of representation of women with disabilities in Nigeria’s governance structure.
She addressed reporters accompanied by other women with disabilities including Victoria Samuel Sani, Ugochi Nwadike and Alabede Janet Funke.
“Results from the study we had carried out show that the majority of female respondents indicate active interest in politics but are discouraged by factors which include prevailing gender stereotypes, cultural/religious reasons, unfavourable political environment, lack of financial capacity, electoral violence, restrictive party structures and processes, amongst others.
“The CRPD,which includes gender equality as one of its general principles, recognises that disability is an evolving concept, and that disability results from the interaction between persons with impairments and attitudinal and environmental barriers that hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others.
“In Nigeria,the National Gender Policy (NGP) had formulated a 35 percent Affirmative Action (AA) in Nigeria since 2006. The policy demands that women should constitute 35 percent of those involved in all governance processes. The low level of political participation of women is becoming alarming and disturbing. This hampers women from contributing their quota to the development of Nigeria. Empirical observations have shown that women in positions of responsibility are noted to be hardworking and firm in their decision.
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“Nigeria has 6% of women in the parliament, and no political representation from persons with disabilities. It is on this premise that we are asking the women folk to spare us 5% of the 35% of the affirmative action. There is a recent amendment of the Nigerian constitution for more women to occupy more seats at the National Assembly, hence we are appealing to the present administration to assent to it, if it hasn’t done so,” they stated
The women said it has been estimated that 15% of the world’s population live with some form of disability and that prevalence is higher among women, as about 1 in 5 women 18 years and older live with one.
They said according to the World Disability Report of 2011, over 25 million Nigerians have at least one disability, and more than 50 percent of the 25 million Nigerians with disabilities are female.
They added that the 12th session of the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) took place in the UN Headquarters in New York and focused on the overarching theme of “Ensuring the inclusion of persons with disabilities in a changing world through the implementation of the CRPD.”
“Debra Run said, ’The only disability is when people cannot see human potential’. According to a publication by BuildMeBest, ‘The human spirit is one of ability, perseverance and courage that no disability can steal away.’
“Finally, I would like to conclude by quoting a popular line from one of the most powerful women the world has ever known, Margaret Thatcher. She said, ‘If you want something said, ask a man; If you want something done, ask a woman,’” they said.