In a powerful stride toward equity, UN Women Nigeria recently brought together advocates, officials, entrepreneurs, and civil society in Adamawa State for a four-day workshop aimed at dismantling the economic barriers faced by women with disabilities.
With support from the Nigerian Humanitarian Fund, the workshop spotlighted the daily struggles of women and girls with disabilities—challenges like discriminatory systems, restricted access to funding, and policies that fail to translate into real opportunities.
Participants raised pressing concerns about the gap between Nigeria’s global commitments—such as the UN CRPD and SDG 5—and the on-the-ground realities in states like Adamawa. Limited inclusion in employment, poor access to social protection, and systemic exclusion from public procurement processes were identified as major hurdles.
The workshop did more than highlight problems—it offered solutions. Among the bold recommendations: enforce the 5% job quota for persons with disabilities, form a dedicated State Disability Inclusion Task Force, and launch a Disability Empowerment Fund. Calls were also made for digital vocational training and grassroots campaigns to combat stigma.
To make public procurement more accessible, stakeholders proposed reforming documentation requirements, offering fee waivers, and reserving contract percentages—10% for goods, 3% for works, and 7% for services—for women with disabilities. A disability-friendly procurement desk and collaborative awareness campaigns were also suggested.
Closing the event, participants urged the Adamawa State Government to take the lead nationally. This includes domesticating the 2018 Disability Act, establishing a State Disability Commission, and ensuring inclusive policies are backed by real budgets and tracked through a clear monitoring system.
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