By Agbo Christian Obiora
In a strategic move to advance the representation of women and girls with disabilities (WGWDs) in Nigeria’s mainstream media, the Advocacy for Women with Disabilities Initiative (AWWDI) recently paid a courtesy visit to the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) Headquarters in Abuja. The visit aimed to strengthen media collaboration and foster greater advocacy for disability-inclusive storytelling that goes beyond stereotypes and misconceptions.
The meeting, which brought together key representatives from both organizations, was a pivotal step toward ensuring that the stories, challenges, and triumphs of WGWDs receive national visibility. It underscored the media’s vital role in shaping perceptions, influencing policies, and breaking barriers that hinder the full participation of women with disabilities in various sectors of society.
AWWDI Calls for Inclusive Media Representation
The Executive Director of AWWDI, accompanied by the Program Manager and other key members of the delegation, provided an insightful overview of the organization’s work in promoting the rights and empowerment of WGWDs.
In her remarks, she emphasized the critical role of the media in reshaping narratives around disability and shifting public perception from a charity-based approach to one of empowerment and inclusion.
“We must move away from seeing women and girls with disabilities as objects of pity. Their voices, experiences, and contributions matter, and the media has a responsibility to reflect this reality in a positive and impactful way,” she stated.
She further noted that despite their resilience and capabilities, WGWDs remain largely underrepresented in media discourse, often missing from key conversations on gender equality, governance, economic empowerment, and education.
To bridge this gap, AWWDI sought NTA’s partnership in amplifying their advocacy efforts and ensuring that WGWDs have platforms where they can share their experiences, challenges, and achievements.
NTA Reaffirms Commitment to Disability Inclusion
In response, the Executive Director of Programs at NTA commended AWWDI for its unwavering commitment to advocating for women with disabilities and pledged the agency’s support in amplifying disability-inclusive narratives.
He highlighted NTA’s existing efforts in disability-inclusive programming and assured that the station remains committed to increasing visibility for PWDs through inclusive media content.
“We understand the power of the media in shaping societal attitudes, and we recognize our duty in ensuring that women and girls with disabilities are not sidelined. NTA is open to collaborations that will drive positive change, and we are willing to work closely with AWWDI to achieve this goal,” he affirmed.
He also pointed out that some of NTA’s existing programs, such as ‘Against All Odds,’ already focus on stories of resilience and triumph. However, he agreed that more needs to be done to mainstream disability issues in all aspects of media content, including news, entertainment, and public affairs programs.
Key Areas of Collaboration
The discussions between AWWDI and NTA identified several key areas for partnership, including:
✅ Promoting Positive Media Representation – NTA agreed to support content that highlights the abilities, achievements, and potential of WGWDs, moving away from harmful stereotypes.
✅ Highlighting Challenges and Opportunities – Both organizations discussed the need to address barriers faced by WGWDs in education, healthcare, economic empowerment, and political participation, ensuring these issues gain national attention.
✅ Leveraging NTA’s Platforms – AWWDI expressed interest in utilizing popular programs such as ‘Against All Odds’ and other NTA flagship shows to showcase success stories and achievements of WGWDs in business, governance, and community development.
✅ Joint Media Campaigns and Awareness Initiatives – The two organizations agreed to explore joint initiatives that promote disability inclusion and gender equality across Nigeria.
✅ Sustained Engagement and Follow-up – To ensure consistent media coverage, AWWDI and NTA committed to maintaining communication and implementing long-term collaboration strategies.
A Milestone for Disability Advocacy in Media
The engagement between AWWDI and NTA marks a significant milestone in the fight for disability-inclusive media representation. It sets a precedent for how mainstream media organizations can actively contribute to the empowerment of persons with disabilities through fair and accurate storytelling.
With this partnership, there is renewed hope that more voices of women and girls with disabilities will be heard, their challenges addressed, and their achievements celebrated on national platforms.
AWWDI has pledged to continue its advocacy efforts, working hand-in-hand with media partners, government agencies, and civil society groups to create a more inclusive Nigeria where disability is no longer a barrier to visibility and success.
As the collaboration takes shape, NTA viewers can expect to see more stories of resilience, empowerment, and inclusion, giving WGWDs the rightful place they deserve in national conversations.
