The Chief Executive Officer, Cedar Seed Foundation, Lois Auta-Udonkanta who doubles as President, Network for Disabled Women, has come out to commend the Youth Initiative for Advocacy, Growth and Advancement (YIAGA) and the European Union for nominating and recognizing her among women with disabilities in commemoration of the International Women’s Day, 2022.
The European Union had during the commemoration launched a “breakthebiaschallenge” to celebrate Women and Organizations of Persons with Disabilities who are breaking bias while recognizing their contributions to the development of women with disabilities in Nigeria. The theme for this year 2022 is “Breaking the bias”.
Auta was nominated among Women with Disabilities whose stories were released by the EU.
Her story highlighted her emergence from some 4,080 political candidates in AMAC Bwari, FCT to become the first person with disability to run for a House of Representatives election in 2019.
Lois’ story underscores the fact that emerging from a male dominated politics, further made notorious for excluding Persons with Disabilities is no easy feat. Auta conquered the challenges to emerge a candidate.
While offering insights on her recognition in an interview with Inclusive News Network, Lois pointed out: “without YIAGA, EU wouldn’t have known me and without the European Union’s support, YIAGA wouldn’t have done anything with me. Both are significant in my story. YIAGA nominated me to have my story celebrated in the month of March. The EU listened and published my story.”
Auta went on to urge the Organizations to continue supporting more individuals and organizations with disabilities who are being creative and innovative in advancing the cause of Persons with Disabilities in Nigeria.
In her words: “They should keep supporting Organizations and individuals with Disabilities that are creative and innovative”.