The Joint National Association of Persons With Disabilities (JONAPWD), Anambra State Chapter, on Wednesday met with the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Children and Women Affairs, Dr. Dan Ezeanwu, on the need for implementation of the Anambra State Disability Rights Law, 2018.
The group also made strong appeal for construction of ramps within the Ministry, provision of annual subvention for the association, observance of World Disability Day, amongst other demands.
With the group was the Treasurer and State Chairman, Nigerian National Association of the Deaf, Mr. Amobi Nwagwu, who decried the harassment of some deaf women due to lack of exposure and communication barrier, and appealed for training of the Ministry’s staff members on basic sign language communication and disability etiquettes. He also appealed for the continuous release of JONAPWD’s subventions which the association uses to solve its various needs.
The association’s Program Officer, Miss Nwanokwara Ncheta, also seized the opportunity to ask waivers for the registration of Anambra State Women With Disabilities (ASWWD) as an NGO in the Ministry.
Also speaking, Miss Victoria Okonkwo and Miss Elizabeth Ikele respectively, conveyed the displeasure of many Persons with Disabilities in the State over the non-commemoration of annual World Disability Day in the State for some years running. They appealed for observance of the 2020 celebration in other to give PWDs in the State a sense of belonging.
Comr. Ugochukwu Okeke also called for construction of ramps in the Utility Hall within the Ministry and other government infrastructures, as he utilized the occasion to relay most of the association’s activities to the Permanent Secretary.
In his response, Dr. Dan Ezeanwu described the issues raised as legitimate demands which should be looked into. He promised to discuss with the Chairman concerning the subvention and setting up of the Disabilities Rights Commission which would oversee full implementation of the Law, adding that the Ministry would look into the issues raised to the best of their ability.
High point of the visit was the presentation of a copy each, of the advocacy brief and the Disabilities Rights Law by the JONAPWD Chairman to the Permanent Secretary.
