The Advocacy Women with Disabilities Initiative (AWWDI) has called for comprehensive inclusion of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in all climate change-related policies and programs at the National Assembly.
The event supported by Disability Rights Fund brought together key stakeholders, including Honourable Dr. Dauda Bashiru, Chairman of the House Committee on Disability Matters and a diverse group of stakeholders, including committee members, representatives from various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), the National Human Rights Commission’s disability desk officer, spouses of PWDs, and women and girls with disabilities.
The event titled, “Gender-Disability Inclusive Climate Change Policies Engagement” held at the Disability Committee Hall in the House of Representatives, National Assembly, Abuja, on June 11, 2024, aimed to address the intersection of gender, disability, and climate change policies, ensuring that people with disabilities (PWDs) are included in all relevant legislative and policy frameworks
Patience Ogolo Dickson, Executive Director of AWWDI emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts between government bodies and advocacy groups to ensure that PWDs are not left behind in policy-making processes.
Dickson called for the development of disability-inclusive policies, particularly for women and girls, and urged MDAs to engage more actively with the needs of PWDs and ensure compliance with the Disability Act’s employment quota of 5%.
Representatives from the National Human Rights Commission and the Ministry of Environment highlighted the urgent need to include PWDs in all policy areas and emphasized the importance of integrating PWDs into climate change initiatives.
Mr. Akorede Adebowale addressed the mental health challenges faced by PWDs and advocated for the employment of their spouses, emphasizing the crucial role of mental health support and economic empowerment.
Stakeholders at the event reaffirmed commitment to advocating for the rights and inclusion of PWDs.
The event underscored the importance of inclusive policies, collaborative efforts, and continuous advocacy to ensure that PWDs are adequately represented and supported in all areas, particularly in climate change policies.
2 comments
Nice one action needed not all this talk all the time.
Nice one action needed not all this talk all the time, all hands must be on deck to make it happen.