By Chris Agbo, Abuja
Disability Rights Advocacy Center (DRAC) with support from Voice Nigeria on 19th to 21st May, 2020 in Abuja organized a Three Day Training for Organization of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) and Women with Disabilities (WWDs) on their SRH and Advocacy to enable them push for the implementation of National Policy on SRHR of PWDs with emphasis on Women and Girls.
The Executive Director of DRAC, Dr. Irene Ojiugo Patrick-Ogbogu in her opening remark said that the training is aimed at equipping participants with the knowledge of SRHR and advocacy skills that will make them strong advocates for the implementation of National Policy on Sexual Reproductive Health Rights of Persons with Disabilities with emphasis on women and girls.
Speaking further, she said that even at the midst of the COVID-19 lockdown, the issues of SRHR are still coming up; there are still complaints from women with disabilities for not being able to access healthcare services. She urged the participants to pay attention and make adequate use of knowledge the facilitators will be impacting because it key to achieving a society where women and girls with disabilities will have the kind of attention they need in accessing SRH information and services.
The training was fully packed with interesting and impactful topics like Introduction of SRH of persons with disabilities and Disability Rights, Provisions on the National Policy on SRHR of PWDs, Issues around Implementation of the policy, Analyzing Policies (Policy analysis, Power mapping and Identifying opportunities and barriers), Drafting advocacy messages(Stakeholder Analysis, Development of advocacy message), Planning an Advocacy Campaign( Steps, Defining and Developing goals and objectives), Lobbying, Identifying advocacy activities and Introduction to COVID-19 (how it affect persons with disabilities).
The training was facilitated by two experts on Lobbying and Advocacy and it was interactive and participatory as participants were involved in group works and role plays to drive home the points. For example, the participants interestingly role played lobbying and also building partnerships with other stakeholders to form a coalition for advocacy. Through role playing participants practiced how to carry out advocacy activities to duty bearers, highlighting key messages and steps for effective advocacy.
The event also launched the SRHR Toll free 24 hours Call Centre (08000-3000-100) by the Executive Director, DRAC. The initiative is to provide opportunity for PWDs especially women and girls to make their complaints on violation of their rights, report violence, ask questions and get information about their SRHR at no cost. The ED made commitment that the organization will provide assistant to those who need help.
Some Pictures of the Event
