Advocacy for women with disability initiative (AWWDI) on 23rd of November, 2022 organized a one day programme for organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs) on research and data collection (gap analysis in SGBV policies in MDAs) consultations and review to ascertain inclusivity of policies/framework.
The project is supported by Disability Rights Fund DRF and implemented by AWWDI.
Patience Ogolo Dickson, the Executive Director, AWWDI in her speech appreciated participants for engaging in the project. She said the project is to have a blueprint on the SGBV policies the MDAs have and how it affects women and girls with disabilities (WGWDs).
Speaking further, she said some WGWDs do not know the policies and some cannot even lay their hands on these policies because they do not have the capacity. She said it will help them to know also civil societal organizations CSOs that has developed policies on GBV, we need to break the silence on GBV how it affects WGWD and how far some of this organization has followed up on these policies in order to mainstreams WGWD in their policies.
She said WGWDs faces all form of gender based violence and how many of them are reported or even get justice that why this project wants to ensure that the project focuses on how WGWD gets access to policies, that is why we need to work together with other women organization because of the doggedness of women organizations we can unite together to achieve our goal.
Mr Kola Oledeyoba, the program manager AWWDI while speaking to The Qualitative magazine said that this project is all about engaging policies programmes and activities of the MDAs and the institution of interest to find out how their policies reflect GBV for WGWD how it can be reduced to zero.
This project will holistically engage policies, acts and mandate that reflect GBV and how it affects WGWDs that is why we will involve the National Human Rights Commission, NAPTIP, the Police, Civil Defence Legal Aid, Ministry of Women Affairs, National Commission for Persons with Disabilities and others.
“This is to know their policies and program on GBV and how it affects WGWD and also develop materials for easy accessibility that community of women with disability can use or refer to.
They were data research analysis session on GBV to know the institutions that has different policies which has been developed and how it has mainstreamed WGWD, some organizations also shared their experiences on GBV issues, AWWDI promise to engage them more on this issue and work more with community of women with disability.
