Network of Disabled Women on Wednesday expressed concerns that the COVID-19 pandemic was taking its toll on the most vulnerable group, persons with disabilities in Nigeria
The Group in that regard, made recommendation on strategies in line with international best practices that will protect persons with disabilities against the novel Coronavirus.
In a press statement sent to INN, the group led by it’s CEO, Lois Auta said that more than 80,000 people in the world have died from Corona Virus, saying it was not only freightening, but sad.
She said despite the increasing mortality rate, the continuous discrimination some stakeholders have towards Persons with Disabilities was alarming.
“Persons with Disabilities stand a higher risk of infection of the Corona virus because of increased vulnerabilities.”
“Persons with disabilities feel they have been left behind. Precautionary measures, such as social distancing and self-isolation may be impossible for those who rely on the support of others to perform their daily tasks. Access to Healthcare facilities is already a big issue, other barriers include physical obstacles, discrimination, lack of access to ICT and other existing stigmas that exclude persons with disabilities.
“In Nigeria, we have over 20 million citizens with disabilities who are much more prone and vulnerable to the pandemic.”
A detailed document prepared by the female founders and CEOs of disabilities organisations in Nigeria highlighted the key challenges and solutions, to combat the pandemic.
The document drew up a plan combined by disabled women professionals and best global practices that has been proven effective ways of combating COVID-19.
The objective, according to them is to provide solutions that private and public sectors could adopt in combating the virus by protecting, providing and supporting disability community.
The recommendations were based on two key areas including humanitarian support and inclusive communication and education.
They noted that presently persons with disabilities have not been carried along as expected in the struggle on ending this menace, as no COVID-19 disability response team that has been set up, no funds set aside by the government for the welfare of persons with disabilities during this lockdown, while the isolation centres, medical infrastructures and equipment are inaccessible to PWDs.
They therefore proposed that government should support and donate to disabled women organisations, while mechanisms must be created to provide funding to cater for the needs of persons with disabilities
They also called for the establishment of food banks that will supply foodstuffs and toiletries for persons with disabilities so as to engage disabled people organisations in the Presidential Task Force Team on COVID-19.
Listing the challenges in the inclusive communication and education, the group said it was hightime to ensure inclusion in all government activities and interventions on COVID-19 for persons with disabilities.
They therefore proposed “Free mobile data and internet access, engage persons with disabilities in the call centres and situation rooms.
“All updates/news/announcement on COVID-19 must be accessible and inclusive, create prevention and awareness programs, educate caregivers on how to treat and take care of PWDs.
Besides, the group called on critical stakeholders to create partnership opportunities for organisations of Persons with Disabilities, while charging the Federal and State Governments to ensure that rights of PWDs are given to them.
The recommendations was jointly signed by Lois Auta, Chairperson and CEO, Network of Disabled Women; Board of Trustees of Network of Disabled Women; Founder and CEO FAECARE Foundation, Ndifreke Andrew-Essien, Co-founder, Amputee Coalition of Nigeria, Barr. Florence Marcus; Founder and CEO, Voice of Disability Initiative, Barr. Catherine Chinyere Edeh and Founder/CEO, Dinidari Foundation, Benedicta Ndi Kato.
It was also endorsed by scores of women rights group with keen interest in disability affairs.