AWWDI Urges Policymakers to Embed Inclusive Frameworks in Climate Policies

Abuja – The Advocacy for Women with Disabilities Initiative (AWWDI) has called on Nigerian policymakers to urgently review and revise national and sub-national climate policies to incorporate inclusive frameworks that address the unique needs of women and girls with disabilities.

This call was part of a communiqué issued at the close of a two-day Joint Policy Advocacy and Roundtable Discussion on Disability-Inclusive Climate Action. The event, which was organized in partnership with the Disability Rights Fund (DRF), took place from June 25 to 26 in Abuja and brought together key stakeholders to explore the intersection of disability, gender, and climate change. A central highlight was the presentation of AWWDI’s newly published book, “A Practical Guide for Inclusive Climate Actions for Women and Girls with Disabilities.”

Stakeholders noted that climate change disproportionately affects women and girls with disabilities by worsening pre-existing challenges such as discrimination, poverty, limited access to healthcare, and social isolation. These vulnerabilities are further compounded by the exclusion of women with disabilities from decision-making spaces at the community, state, and national levels. The discussions revealed that climate policies, budgets, and emergency strategies in Nigeria rarely account for disability issues, and inclusive climate financing is almost non-existent. This lack of attention has often resulted in the exclusion of women with disabilities from disaster response and adaptation efforts.

Awareness and education on the impact of climate change were identified as limited, especially among persons with disabilities in rural communities. Physical and systemic barriers continue to hinder their participation in climate action and environmental justice movements. A recent survey cited during the roundtable revealed that only five percent of women with disabilities feel their needs are considered in existing climate policies—an alarming indication of systemic neglect.

In response to these findings, stakeholders resolved that disability inclusion must be central to all climate policy frameworks. They emphasized the importance of ensuring that the rights and perspectives of women with disabilities are reflected in planning, implementation, and governance processes. Dedicated climate financing that takes into account the unique needs of women with disabilities was also emphasized, along with the necessity for inclusive education and accessible information dissemination. Stakeholders stressed that true climate resilience cannot be achieved without the meaningful involvement of women with disabilities and reaffirmed the importance of the principle, “Nothing About Us Without Us.”

Furthermore, the communiqué called on the National Assembly and the Climate Change Board to work collaboratively with Organizations of Persons with Disabilities and civil society to institutionalize disability rights within the broader climate justice agenda. The Federal Ministry of Environment and relevant agencies were also urged to adopt AWWDI’s guideline as a tool for driving inclusive climate action across all levels.

The event closed with a strong reaffirmation of AWWDI’s commitment to a climate justice movement that is inclusive, intersectional, and rooted in human rights. Stakeholders unanimously agreed that integrating the voices, needs, and leadership of women and girls with disabilities is essential to achieving equitable and sustainable climate solutions in Nigeria.

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