Stakeholders across civil society, academia, security agencies, and the legal profession have renewed calls for compassion, acceptance, and stronger institutional support for persons living with disabilities and those who care for them.
The call was made during a stakeholders’ forum organised by the Star Children Development Initiative at the Lagos State Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Alausa, Lagos. The forum, themed “Be Your Authentic Self: The Courage to Be Seen,” created a safe space for women living with disabilities, mothers, and caregivers to share their lived experiences and challenges.
Addressing participants, the President of the Initiative, Grace Alexander, said the event was born out of her personal experience as a mother raising a child with a disability. She explained that caregiving often comes with emotional, psychological, and social burdens that many caregivers are ill-prepared for.
“Caregivers are also deeply affected by the demands of caring for persons with disabilities. Mental health struggles, loneliness, and isolation are common, especially due to stigma and lack of structured support systems,” she said, adding that the summit aimed to help caregivers reclaim their voices and personal stories.
Alexander further expressed concern over the marginalisation of children with disabilities in rural communities, calling on governments to implement inclusive policies that guarantee access to care, protection, and opportunities for PWDs.
In her keynote address, Prof. Chinwe Nwanna, former Head of the Department of Social Work at the University of Lagos, urged women living with disabilities to embrace self-confidence and reject limiting stereotypes.
She noted that the dependency of PWDs on caregivers can sometimes create tension, stressing that sustained caregiver education and access to professional support remain crucial.
The Chairman of the LCCI Board of Trustees, John Oyeyemi, also emphasised the need for empathy in caregiving, encouraging individuals and organisations with the means to support disability-focused initiatives.
Reaffirming institutional support, the 2IC of the Lagos State Police Command Gender Unit, Omolola Odutola, said the police remain committed to addressing domestic and gender-based violence involving PWDs, stressing that discrimination has no place in society.
She encouraged members of the public to report abuse and assured them of the police’s readiness to respond appropriately.
In the same vein, the Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Otta Branch, Kelubia Ajose, called for an end to all forms of discrimination against persons with disabilities, urging caregivers to deliver care with dignity and compassion.
The event featured product exhibitions and engaging panel discussions focused on disability inclusion, caregiver wellbeing, and policy advocacy.
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