Advocacy for Women With Disabilities Initiative (AWWDI) have called on the media to amplify the voices and visibility of women and girls on issues around gender based violence.
The call was made during a media interaction event orgnized by AWWDI on the 20th July, 2022 at National Human right commission.
The Media Interaction is part of the activities from the Amplify voice and visibility of Women and Girls with Disabilities around Gender Based Violence (GBV) project supported by Disability Rights Fund (DRF).
The meeting was witnessed the presence of many stakeholders including MDAs, Women with Disabilities and International Agencies who add their voices on the issue through goodwill messages.
In her welcome address, patience Ogolo-Dickson the Founder and Africa Representative for Commonwealth Disability People’s Forum (CDPF) and Executive Director of AWWDI called on all stakeholders to work together to reduce gender based violence among women and girls with disabilities
The Country Representative UNFPA, ULLA MUELLER spoke about the need for collective efforts of all stakeholders to end GBV faced by WGWDs in Nigeria.
She expressed concern on the welfare and inclusivity of WGWDs and that UNFPA is ready to support other stakeholders in amplifying the voices and visibility of the target group.
She also mentioned that the collaboration with AWWDI to kick start the inclusion construction project in the Primary Health Care facility in Kalamajiji community for the good of all the community members including persons with disabilities.
UCHE GARBA representing the Executive Secretary of National Human Right Commission made her submission on the readiness of the commission to always support issues that has to do with WGWDs and other vulnerable groups which is the mandate of the commission.
Delivering her speech, AKINBOLA OLANIKE, a representative of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), mentioned that disabilities and gender issues need an undivided attention if the fight against GBV must be won, she said that the commission is the home for AWWDI and other OPDs across the country and spoke on efforts of the commission to tackle Gender Based Violence and Disabilities Discrimination in Nigeria.
CECILIA ARANSIOLA from Amnesty International was concerned about the legal rights of WGWDs that has been on the dark for long, she spoke on possible alliance with other stakeholders to create more platforms for the collective fight against GBV faced by WGWDs.
JANE FRANCES BIANEYIN from Legal Aid Council was concerned about the justice for victims of Gender Based Violence who are WGWDs and spoke on the Council readiness to support WGWDs with legal assistance.
FUNMILAYO OBIUWEUBI from Federal Ministry of Humanitarian, disaster management and social development lay emphasis on the ministry’s commitment to the issues of women and girls with disabilities as it is the ministry saddled with the responsibilities of advancing PWDs in Nigeria.
STELLA UDOBANG from the Leprosy Mission talked around using International best practices to improve the current situation of WGWDs as well as the deviation of the world from rehabilitation to inclusion.
NNENNA ALAUKWU speaking on behalf of AWWDI stated that: Over the years, AWWDI with support of many institutions of common interest has carried out sensitization around GBV and women with disabilities in many states across the country particularly in rural communities where AWWDI is having Self-Help Groups.
“Nigeria data on gender-based violence against women and girls with disabilities is limited, despite the efforts of many institutions of interest which in itself speaks to this invisibility and suggests higher risks for women with impairments”.
“Many media houses and media practitioners believe that issues of women and girls with disabilities are not news worthy.
AWWDI and Disability Right Fund reaffirm that women and girls with disabilities in Nigeria should be included in the fight to advance gender equality and women’s rights. They are entitled to all human right and fundamental freedoms on an equal basis with others and should be actively involved in all campaigns fighting for women’s rights.
States parties, civil society, national human right institutions should continue in promoting and empowering women and girls with disabilities’ participation in all areas of life.
She also mentioned some recommendations: AWWDI/DRF expect the media and the stakeholders to Take a stand for women and girls with disabilities where it matter
Speak against GBV concerning WGWDs, Use their platforms to condemn GBV against WGWDs, Media should consider issue of WGWDs worthy of reporting and publicise where necessary
The Police and law enforcement agency should help to see that justice is done against the perpetrators
“All the laws established to protect human right should be use to help reduce GBV against WGWDs”
“Media should promote accountability to end violence against women and girls with disabilities”.
“Media should help in the role of reporting and sharing narratives surrounding Women and Girls with disabilities through amplifying their voices by speaking truth to power, promoting accountability, and enhancing gender and disability justice”.
AWWDI/DRF affirmed that It is the role of the media to change negative social norms on violence against women and girls with disabilities and to raise awareness against the violence to shaping the public opinion and discourse in order to promote justice for survivors to influence behaviours.
“The objective of the media interaction is to sensitize the media and stakeholder’s present raising awareness for gender based violence as it applies to WGWDs with the expectation of reducing related issues of gender based violence as well as promotes positive reporting and prioritizing issues of WGWDs”.
The media houses present at the venue are Arise TV, Ray power, Aso TV, Liberty TV, People’s Daily and many online platforms.
