Polycarp Sola – Abakaliki
The Voice of Disability Initiative (VDI), a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) has appealed to Ebonyi government to make law protecting the rights of persons with disabilities in the state.
The Organisation made the appeal on Tuesday in a two-day sensitisation workshop and interactive session with the various stakeholders in Abakaliki.
Our Correspondent reports that the participants in the workshop include: the Healthcare Providers, Religious and Traditional Leaders in Ebonyi.
The theme of the programme are: “Access to sexual and reproductive health services for women and girls with disabilities; Gender-Based Violence and rights of persons with disabilities.”
Mrs Catherine Edeh, Executive Director of the NGO called for the need to domesticate the law in the efforts to give sense of belonging to the such group in the society.
Edeh explained that VDI is an advocacy network formed by and for women with disabilities.
“It is saddled with the responsibility of safeguarding and protecting the fundamental human rights of women and girls with disabilities in Nigeria.
“It’s being supported by an international foundation known as Amplifychange to implement a project on advancing the Sexual Reproductive Health Rights of Women and Girls with Disabilities in the country,” she added .
The Executive Director noted that domesticating the disability Rights Act in Ebonyi State would go a long way involving them in policy making and governance.
She decried the way disabled persons had suffered in terms of lack of inclusiveness in politics and decision making in government.
“So, I am calling on the Ebonyi state government to please listen to the complaints, the disabled persons, include them in decision making,”:Edeh said.
Mrs Susan Kelechi, Gender and Social Inclusion Advocate, described the sensitisation workshop as a clarion call on the government of the day to domesticate the disability law.
Kelechi noted that the law became imperative as it could protect the rights of persons with disabilities.
“We have five states in the Southeast, and unfortunately, Ebonyi is yet to domesticate the law,” the Officer added.
She called for a collaborative effort between the health workers and the women and girls with disabilities to ensure the protection of their sexual and reproductive health.
“This is an area that has been underreported and underspoken about; people don’t think about it because most times they don’t see women and girls with disabilities as people, who are sexually active. But that is not true,” she stated.
Mr Edward Ogenyi, Resource Person, also urged the Ebonyi government to support the campaign and make an authentic law protecting the right of persons with disabilities.
Mr Sunday Oketa, Traditional Ruler, Nkaliki-Echara Unuhu Autonomous Community commended the VDI team on the sensitisation campaign and pledged to join force to ensure that the law is domesticated in Ebonyi.
Earlier, Mr Christopher Okorie, Coordinator of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in the state, called for attitudinal change towards the vulnerable people in the society.
Also, Dr Cassandra Ugochuku, Vice Chairperson of FIDA in the State, expressed hope that the present government would address the issue regarding to the law protecting the rights of persons with disabilities in the State.