Abuja, Nigeria — February 10, 2026
In a bold move to promote safer and more inclusive work environments across Nigeria, the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with H.E.I.R Women Hub to strengthen workplace sexual harassment prevention and response mechanisms within institutions.
The strategic partnership, formalised during a courtesy visit by the H.E.I.R Women Hub delegation to the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja, signals a growing commitment to addressing sexual harassment — particularly as it affects women and persons with disabilities, who are often disproportionately exposed to workplace abuse, discrimination, and exploitation.
A Timely Intervention for Safer Workplaces
The collaboration aims to develop and implement comprehensive workplace policies that not only prevent sexual harassment but also create clear reporting systems, strengthen accountability structures, and empower victims to seek justice without fear of retaliation.
Speaking at the engagement, the Executive Director of H.E.I.R Women Hub, Ms. Anuli Aniebo, described the MoU as a critical step in institutionalising protection mechanisms within both public and private institutions.
“Workplace safety is not optional — it is fundamental to dignity, productivity, and equality,” Aniebo stated. “Through this partnership, we will support policy development, awareness creation, capacity building, and advocacy initiatives aimed at eliminating workplace sexual harassment.”
She emphasized that beyond policy documents, institutions must cultivate a culture where harassment is neither tolerated nor ignored.
Protecting the Most Vulnerable
Experts have long noted that women with disabilities and other vulnerable groups face compounded risks in workplace settings due to power imbalances, limited accessibility to reporting mechanisms, and fear of stigma.
Recognising these realities, the Executive Secretary of NCPWD, Hon. Ayuba Burki Gufwan, welcomed the collaboration and described it as both timely and strategic.
“This initiative aligns squarely with the mandate of the Commission to protect the rights, dignity, and welfare of persons with disabilities across all sectors — including employment and institutional governance,” Gufwan said.
He reaffirmed the Commission’s unwavering commitment to ensuring that workplaces in Nigeria are inclusive, respectful, and harassment-free.
“Safeguarding the dignity of every worker, particularly those who are most vulnerable, remains a priority of this Commission. No employee should have to choose between their livelihood and their safety,” he added.
From Policy to Practice
The partnership is expected to focus on:
Developing and reviewing workplace sexual harassment policies
Building institutional capacity to handle complaints effectively
Creating awareness campaigns that encourage reporting
Promoting gender-sensitive and disability-inclusive workplace cultures
Strengthening advocacy for accountability and institutional reforms
Both organisations stressed that the MoU goes beyond symbolism and represents a deliberate commitment to practical interventions that will strengthen institutional frameworks and protect employees.
Advancing Equality Through Intelligent Inclusion
H.E.I.R Women Hub, a gender-focused organisation dedicated to empowering women and advancing equality, brings years of experience in advocacy, capacity building, and community-based interventions.
The acronym H.E.I.R stands for Hard Work, Equality and Equity, Intelligent Inclusion, and Respect — principles that align closely with the Commission’s mandate to foster inclusive development and equal opportunity.
Stakeholders have described the partnership as a proactive move in addressing gender-based violence and disability-related vulnerabilities within professional spaces — an issue that often remains underreported despite its pervasive impact.
Building a Culture of Respect
As Nigeria continues to strengthen institutional governance frameworks, the NCPWD-H.E.I.R collaboration underscores a critical message: inclusion is incomplete without safety, and productivity is impossible without dignity.
With the signing of this MoU, both organisations reaffirmed their resolve to sustain collaboration, deepen institutional reforms, and promote respectful workplace cultures where harassment has no refuge.
The partnership marks another step toward ensuring that Nigerian workplaces — whether in government agencies, corporations, or civil society organisations — become environments where equality, respect, and intelligent inclusion are not mere aspirations but standard practice.
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