by Chris Agbo
The founder of Star Child Development Initiative, Grace Alexander on Thursday brought together major stakeholders and female disability rights advocates across Africa for a virtual summit known as Every Woman Matters Summit with the theme: Alleviating Sexual and Gender based Violence for Women and Girls with Disabilities in Africa. The Summit looked into the solutions to gender based violence against women and girls with disabilities in Africa.
The convener of the summit, Grace Alexander, the co-founder of Every Woman Matters UK said that the essence of the event was to discuss the solutions to gender based against women and girls with disabilities since we have spent years discussing the problems; it is high time the solutions are brought to the front burner.
The event brought together critical stakeholders in the issues concerning women and female advocates with disabilities were given the opportunity to share their experiences and also proffer solutions for the problem.
A documentary put together by Star Children Development Initiative in collaboration Ede Disability Team showcasing violence against women with disabilities were shown. It carried a deeper and real life message of the violence against women with disabilities.
The event had key note speakers such as Her Exellency Dame Pauline Tallen, she was represented by Princess Joan Jummai Idonije, Hon. Tunji John Asaolu, Nigerian Representative at the AU Economic, Social and Cutural Council, Her Exellency Comfort Lampter, UN women Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS represented by Salamatu Kemokai, Rosewater Alice Mudarika, Chairperson of Network of African Women with Disabilities, Mr. Lefthoko Kesamang, Senior Policy Officer within the Division for Social welfare, Vulnerable groups, Drug control and crime prevention at the African Union, Mr. Kudakwashe Dube, CEO, Â Africa Disability Alliance.
Other speakers were Christine Peta,Ejiro Sharon Okotie, Hellen Anurika Beyioku-Alase, Katouche Goll, Nnamdi Eseme, Juliet Makhapila, Theophilus Odaudu, Toyin Ndidi Taiwo-Ojo.
Issues prominent at the event were formulation of policy to tackle gender based violence against women with disabilities, implementing of the existing policies and laws that criminalized violence against women, awareness creation among law enforcement agencies, more advocacy on the issues of gender based violence against women with disabilities among major stakeholders, more education of the public both in urban and rural communities, capacity building of women with disabilities to know their rights, be bold and know how to report cases of abuse against them, stiffer punishment for the offenders of gender based violence was also canvassed for as a solution to curb the incidences of rape. Getting men involved in the campaign to understand the issues because it will be faster to change the narrative.
The event was moderated by Mrs. Ekaete Judith Umoh, Founder/Executive Director of FACICP Disability Plus,and Secretary, African Disability Forum ADF, Miss. Rachael Inegbedion, Community Development Manager, Initiative for National Growth, and Mrs. Titilayo Ogunbambi , Executive Director, Boundless Hands For Africa.
