Biu, Borno State — In a bold move to bridge the gap between environmental advocacy and disability inclusion, the Sound Abilities for Vulnerable Women Initiative (SAVWIN) organized a two-day capacity-building workshop for women and girls with disabilities in Biu Local Government Area, Borno State.
The training, themed “Advocacy for Climate Justice and Inclusion for Women and Girls with Disabilities,” was held at Umfahad Hotel and Suites, opposite the General Hospital on Gombi Road. It brought together 30 female participants from Biu and the Yawi ward, all eager to deepen their knowledge on climate justice and develop strategies for inclusive environmental advocacy.
During the opening session, the Executive Director of SAVWIN, Miyausa Mshelia Wayuta, welcomed participants and emphasized the urgent need to include women with disabilities in climate-related discourse. She noted that inclusion is not charity but a right, and called on women with disabilities to take on leadership roles in their communities.
Facilitator Mrs. Lydia Bala led sessions on key topics such as climate justice, disability-inclusive climate adaptation, intersectionality, and inclusive decision-making. She stressed the compounded vulnerability of women with disabilities and the importance of embedding accessibility, equity, and participation in all climate initiatives. Her message was clear: women with disabilities must be active players in community leadership and climate policy.
The training also addressed the challenges women with disabilities face in securing climate-resilient livelihoods, such as employment discrimination, limited access to resources, and exclusion from decision-making. Participants were encouraged to advocate for their rights and push for inclusive climate funding and programs. The session on accessible climate information revealed the critical role that simplified, local language-based content can play in building resilience and preparedness.
On the second day, facilitator Mr. Irimiya Mbaya delved into climate justice and disability inclusion, exploring how climate-related disasters disproportionately affect persons with disabilities. He discussed how inclusive action—through accessibility, participation, and empowerment—can mitigate these challenges and foster equity and sustainability.
The training featured interactive sessions designed to build unity among participants, including an engaging activity that illustrated the power of acceptance and collective action. The Executive Director urged participants to adopt a spirit of teamwork, emphasizing that embracing one another’s differences was key to meaningful progress.
Participants evaluated the workshop positively. They praised the facilitators for their interactive presentations and ranked their performance highly.
One participant from Marama Village shared that the workshop changed her perspective on the importance of collaboration. Another woman expressed how the training enlightened her on climate change for the first time, and she pledged to teach others in her community.
In her closing remarks, the Executive Director, Miyausa Mshelia Wayuta, thanked participants and facilitators for their time and contributions. She encouraged the women to take what they had learned back to their communities and advocate for inclusive climate policies and practices.
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