By Grace Dalla, INN Abuja
The National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) has called for establishment of gender and disability desks across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in the 36 states of Nigeria and the FCT.
The call was made at the one-day interactive workshop organised by Women and Gender Unit of the Commission on Monday, with the aim of sensitizing gender and disability desk personnels from related MDAs and stakeholders about the challenges faced by Women with Disabilities.
INN reports that the event was attended by representatives from Ministry of Education, Ministry of Justice, Women Development Centre, Health Department, NCPWD Women and Gender Department, CSOs and NGOs.
Dr. James David Lalu, the Executive Secretary, NCPWD, in his remarks expressed dissatisfaction on the level of discrimination faced by Persons With Disabilities.
Lalu said, women with Disabilities are more vulnerable to abuse, molestation, gender based violence among other issues.
Represented by Barr. Nkem Uchegbulam, Lalu noted that PWDs have right to every opportunities and advocated for 5% employment of PWDs across MDAs.
According to him, “the commission have taken bold steps in ensuring compliance to disability Act by MDAs.
” until you die we are all potentials of Disability, for that we must accept Disability as a reality.”
Dr. Adebukola Adebayo on his part highlighted some of the challenges women with disabilities face in occupying some offices.
Adebayo said PWDs are the most excluded, marginalized, and the biggest minority in the world and in Nigeria, women and girls are about 49% of Nigerian population, yet they are the most neglected group.
He says leadership in various institution should be supportive of issue on disability and gender base policy.
“They never mind the type of disability and their need rather they share things randomly without consideration but when the Leadership provides a desk for gender and disability, they will be separated base on gender and needs.
He urged MDAs to create policies for accessible accommodations for staff with disabilities.
According to him “it is advisable that desk of gender and disability should be handled by PWDs and also engage PWDs when designing program in office.”