by Loveth Asogwa
Network of disabled women (NWD) on Friday 5th March 2021 in Abuja organized a one day national dialogue with key stakeholders on strategies for inclusive employment for women with disabilities in commemoration of international women’s day 2021.
The President and CEO of Network of Disabled Women, Lois Auta in her speech said that the meeting was meant to strategizes for women with disability on inclusive employment in different sectors.
She stated that it was an avenue for WWD to also share their experience in public sectors and private sectors in getting employment and the difficulties they face in their different offices, how challenging they are, those are the sensitive questions that should be addressed in commemoration of international women’s day 2021.
She said that they hope to see changes on the issue of employment as regards to WWD. She referred to article 27 of UN convention for PWDs (UNCRPD) which states that PWDs have the right of any employment or training opportunities and Section 6 sub section 28-29 states that they have the right to participate actively on employment opportunities.
She further stated that PWDs have the potentials, talents and they are productive, the educated ones don’t have access to job opportunities. She proposed that 5% reserved for PWDs in accordance with Nigeria disability Act be implemented, the National commission for persons with disabilities should ensure that it is implemented by all MDAs, so that unemployment issues for PWDs would be addressed.
Finally in her speech she stated that a communiqué would be developed which they will share with the MDAs, NDE, and Federal civil service commission and follow them up to facilitate the implementation of the 5% employment opportunities for PWDs.
Mrs. A.A Arese representing National human right commission in her response said that their focus is mainly on women, children, and the vulnerable group in the society, in their annual report, these groups have been significant in number within the society and that is why NHRC is fully involved in issues of PWDs and they are looking forward to work with them.
Obiatuegwu Chika representing United Nation Development Program in her response stated that UNDP in their interest wants to involve PWDs especially WWD in their development plan, and also collaborate with them in gender development. She further stated that in commemoration of international women’s day 2021 WWD to be focused and be significant their working places.
Lawrence Idemudia representing the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities in his response said that WWD should be focused and resilient in their day to day activities because women are the key and he also promised that NCPWD with always carry women along in all their activities in their quest to make the lives of PWDs better.
Peter Mancha representing UN Women in his response stated that WWD should be passionate about what they can do, and that is why united nation women is trying to get the actual data of WWD in order to know how they can carry WWD along and WWD should always encourage each other that is why he appreciates Lois Auta for organizing such a key stakeholder meeting for WWD.
Panel session was set up which some WWD shared their experiences, challenges with the audience on the barriers they face in their work places on daily basis and also encouraged others.
The panelists are Susan Kelechi Ihuoma, Executive director Susan’s Unique Oasis foundation representing NGO sector, Eberendu Onyinyechi, Senior Information Officer (SIO) office of the Head of Service of the Federation representing public sector and Barr. Mary Omoyeme Musa Associate in Chamber and Human Resource Practitioners Notary Public and Arbitrators, representing the private sectors.
Finally at the end of the dialogue Lois Auta encouraged women with disabilities to emulate the lives of the panelist and always push forward to achieving their goals and always fight for what they want.
