Voice of Disability Initiative (VDI), a disability rights advocacy organization, with support and funding from Disability Rights Fund (DRF) an international development organization promoting the rights of persons with disabilities globally and headquartered in Boston USA, on Friday 24th March 2023, paid an advocacy visit to the Nasarawa State High Court.
Mr. Okoroafor Alexander Uchechukwu speaking on behalf of the Executive Director, VDI, Barrister Catherine Edeh said that the aim of their visit is to secure the Chief Judge’s buy-in and commitments to protecting the rights of persons with disabilities, especially women and girls with disabilities while pushing for effective implementation of the provisions of the Nasarawa State Disability Law.
Speaking on the implementation of the Nasarawa State disability law, a member of VDI Team Barr Mary Musa said that the law allows for a 5 years transition period in which ministries, departments, agencies, and public institutions are to comply with the requirements of the law especially in ensuring accessibility of their buildings and providing the 5% disability slot in the area of employment, she also explained the need for the Nasarawa State government to ensure access to health for the disability community especially women and girls with disabilities.
She narrated two stories of women and girls with disabilities who went to the hospitals for natal care but instead lost their babies due to inaccessible infrastructure and communication.
She also talked about the need to provide accessible transportation and access to quality education for persons with disabilities so that they could live normal lives and participate fully and effectively in society.
She added that people with disabilities are not a homogeneous group and so have to need specific needs which should be attended to according to their different disability clusters.
Failure to comply with these provisions after 5 years allows an affected person with a disability to instigate legal action against the erring cooperations or individuals to the to the tune of 1 Million naira (for organizations) and N100 thousand naira (for individuals) respectively.
She further mentioned that the Team desires to see the law implemented. She also spoke on the need to make the courts accessible for persons on wheelchairs and provide sign language interpreters so that the deaf can also follow through on any cases in the court.
Mrs. Asaba Averson, a member of the VDI Team expressed her displeasure with the slow pace of activities within the Disability commission, stating that when individuals without disabilities are put in charge of the affairs of PWDs, the results are always not encouraging. She mentioned how inaccessible the Disability Commission is and said full implementation of the Disability law will ensure this.
Buttressing the need for the advocacy visit, Mr. Okoroafor related the incidence of an 89year old blind woman who was serially raped by a politician seeking fortification and he did not only rapped her but also inserted dangerous objects into the woman’s private part in an attempt to finish her up but thankfully he was apprehended and justice is being served.
Mr. Okoroafor also mentioned the case of a 15-year-old deaf girl who was gang raped in Obi local government of Nasarawa State and mentioned VDI’s effort on the case and the need to follow up and ensure justice is done.
Speaking on behalf of the Chief Judge, The Deputy Chief Registrar assured VDI of her commitment to partner with the Team and ensure the success of their advocacy.
