Abuja, Nigeria – October 23, 2024
The Advocacy for Women with Disabilities Initiative (AWWDI), in collaboration with the Disability Rights Fund (DRF), hosted a transformative Capacity Building Workshop on Climate Change Awareness and Early Warning Systems, marking a crucial step toward empowering women with disabilities in Nigeria to face the growing threat of climate change. The event took place at Edo House in Abuja’s Central Business District, uniting 52 participants, including 43 women with disabilities, 5 women without disabilities, and 4 men, all of whom gathered to confront the urgent need for climate resilience, particularly among vulnerable populations like women and girls with disabilities.
This unique workshop underscored the often-overlooked intersection between climate change and disability, focusing on providing women with disabilities, especially those leading Self Help Groups (SHGs), with the essential tools and knowledge to protect their communities from the effects of climate change. Through a blend of expert presentations, practical exercises, and community dialogue, participants delved into the critical importance of early warning systems, climate adaptation strategies, and the pressing need for disability-inclusive climate policies.
Tackling Climate Vulnerability Head-On
Mr. Kolawole Jayeoba, Program Manager for AWWDI, opened the workshop by addressing the dire impact climate change has on vulnerable groups, stressing that women and girls with disabilities face unique risks due to systemic barriers and inadequate resources. “For communities already at a disadvantage, climate change compounds existing issues, magnifying challenges and deepening inequality,” said Jayeoba. He illustrated the hurdles that persons with disabilities (PWDs) face in accessing crucial climate information, such as physical inaccessibility, language barriers, and poor dissemination of climate data, often excluding PWDs from essential early warnings and disaster preparedness initiatives.
In his powerful presentation, Jayeoba offered strategic recommendations to bridge these accessibility gaps. He urged policymakers and stakeholders to adopt more inclusive approaches that ensure climate information is available in braille, sign language, and other accessible formats. This shift, he emphasized, would enable persons with disabilities not only to stay informed but to actively participate in climate resilience initiatives.
Integrating Local Climate Knowledge for Resilience
Adding to this impactful session, Ms. Labake Olatunji.R from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) delivered an insightful presentation on the 2024 Crop Weather Calendar specifically designed for Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT). This vital tool helps farmers anticipate seasonal climate patterns to optimize planting and harvesting. Olatunji demonstrated how aligning agricultural activities with climate forecasts can drastically reduce risks, especially in regions susceptible to climate volatility.
Highlighting the unique challenges that farmers with disabilities encounter, Olatunji pointed out how limited access to climate information can leave these individuals even more vulnerable. “When climate information is out of reach for PWDs, they are essentially sidelined in efforts toward climate adaptation and sustainable agriculture,” she explained, stressing the need for initiatives that make climate tools accessible to all, particularly women with disabilities who rely on agriculture for their livelihoods.
Empowering Leaders to Build Resilient Communities
The workshop achieved significant outcomes, with participants leaving equipped to champion climate resilience within their communities. SHG leaders expressed new confidence in advocating for policies that account for the needs of women and girls with disabilities. They committed to raising awareness about inclusive climate action, particularly in rural areas where the impact of climate change on agriculture and food security is felt most acutely.
An attendee, Ms. Grace Onyeka, a leader within her local SHG, reflected on the workshop’s importance: “We’ve been inspired not only to prepare ourselves but also to empower other women with disabilities to respond proactively to climate change. Knowledge like this is life-changing; it can make the difference between safety and vulnerability.”
Recommendations for Disability-Inclusive Climate Action
One of the workshop’s highlights was a list of actionable recommendations aimed at improving climate resilience for persons with disabilities. These recommendations called for:
- Accessibility of Climate Information: Ensure that all climate information, particularly early warning systems, is available in accessible formats, including braille, sign language, and easy-to-understand language. This would enable PWDs to access life-saving information promptly.
- Inclusive Climate Policies: Urge the government and stakeholders to revise existing climate policies to incorporate disability-inclusive strategies, emphasizing active participation from PWDs in policymaking and implementation processes.
- Capacity Building for Advocacy: Strengthen the capacity of Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) to advocate effectively for disability-inclusive climate policies, ensuring they are prepared to represent their communities in discussions on climate resilience.
- Support for Resilience Programs: Appeal for increased support from local and international partners to develop programs that build climate resilience, especially for women and girls with disabilities. Such initiatives could encompass accessible agricultural training, disaster preparedness plans, and economic support for rural PWD communities.
These recommendations highlighted not just the need for accessibility but the importance of empowerment—enabling women with disabilities to be at the forefront of advocacy for inclusive climate policies.
A Call to Action for Inclusive Climate Policies
As climate change intensifies, so does the imperative for inclusive strategies that ensure no one is left behind. The workshop underscored the necessity of involving persons with disabilities in climate-related decision-making processes and the importance of building resilience among vulnerable groups.
“By including persons with disabilities in climate policies, we not only protect a vulnerable group but enrich the entire community with their perspectives and resilience,” remarked Ms. Bilikisu Yakubu, AWWDI’s National Coordinator. She added that the workshop’s outcomes would help shape future efforts to integrate disability inclusion into Nigeria’s climate strategies.
For Nigeria, a country experiencing increasingly severe weather patterns, these insights and commitments represent a path toward a more resilient, inclusive society. As participants returned to their communities, they carried with them a renewed sense of purpose and a toolkit for change—ready to inform, advocate, and support others in navigating the challenges posed by our changing climate.
Towards a Future Where Every Voice is Heard
The workshop wrapped up with a powerful message of unity and resilience, underscoring the commitment of AWWDI, DRF, and all participants to foster a future where climate resilience is accessible to everyone. By equipping SHG leaders with the knowledge and resources to address climate change impacts, the initiative not only empowers women with disabilities but also strengthens the fabric of Nigerian communities facing an uncertain climate future.
As a call to action, the workshop’s organizers urged stakeholders to heed the recommendations made, ensuring that the needs of persons with disabilities are integral to Nigeria’s climate resilience plans. Through this groundbreaking initiative, AWWDI and DRF have set a new precedent in Nigeria’s approach to climate action, building a foundation of inclusivity and resilience where no one is left behind.
