Advocacy Group Pushes for Inclusion, Accessibility, and Equal Opportunities for Women with Disabilities
Lagos, March 8, 2025 – As the world marks International Women’s Day (IWD) 2025, the Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) has renewed its call for the acceleration of gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls with disabilities across Nigeria.
Under this year’s global theme, “Accelerate Action for Gender Equality,” CCD is drawing attention to the urgent need for inclusive policies, economic empowerment, and protection of women with disabilities from systemic discrimination, gender-based violence, and exclusion from critical decision-making processes.
Speaking on the significance of the occasion, Godwin Unumeri, Acting Director of CCD, emphasized that while strides have been made towards gender equality, women and girls with disabilities remain one of the most marginalized groups in society. Despite national and international laws meant to protect their rights, they continue to face barriers to education, employment, healthcare, and political participation.
The Unseen Struggles of Women and Girls with Disabilities
The reality for millions of women and girls with disabilities in Nigeria is stark. They are often denied access to quality education, making it harder for them to compete in the job market or become financially independent. Many experience discrimination in the workplace, while others face exclusion from entrepreneurship opportunities due to societal bias and limited access to financial resources.
Additionally, gender-based violence disproportionately affects women with disabilities, leaving them at a higher risk of physical and sexual abuse. Studies show that women with disabilities are two to three times more likely to experience sexual violence than those without disabilities. Worse still, a significant number of cases go unreported due to stigma, inaccessible reporting mechanisms, and a lack of legal support.
In healthcare, the situation is equally troubling. Many health facilities in Nigeria remain inaccessible to persons with disabilities, particularly those with mobility impairments, sensory disabilities, or intellectual disabilities. This lack of accessibility extends to sexual and reproductive health services, where many women with disabilities are denied their right to make informed health choices due to systemic neglect, discrimination, and the misconception that they are not sexually active or capable of motherhood.
“We cannot continue to ignore these injustices,” Unumeri stated. “Achieving gender equality means ensuring that all women—including women with disabilities—have equal access to opportunities, resources, and protections under the law.”
Time to Act: CCD’s Key Demands for Gender Equality
To ensure that women and girls with disabilities are not left behind, CCD is advocating for a series of bold and urgent actions across key areas:
1. Inclusive Policies That Prioritize Disability Rights
CCD is calling on the government to ensure that national gender policies, employment laws, and development programs explicitly address the needs of women and girls with disabilities. This includes strengthening the implementation of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018, which prohibits discrimination against persons with disabilities but remains largely unimplemented.
2. Access to Quality Education for Girls with Disabilities
Education remains a powerful tool for empowerment. CCD is urging policymakers to eliminate barriers to inclusive education by ensuring that schools are accessible, teachers are trained in inclusive learning methods, and assistive technologies are provided for students with disabilities.
3. Economic Empowerment Through Employment and Entrepreneurship
Women and girls with disabilities must have equal access to employment opportunities. CCD is advocating for:
- Stronger workplace policies that promote hiring, training, and career growth for women with disabilities.
- Access to business funding and microfinance opportunities, enabling women with disabilities to become entrepreneurs.
- More women with disabilities in leadership and decision-making positions across all sectors.
4. Ensuring Accessible and Inclusive Healthcare Services
Women with disabilities must be able to make independent decisions about their health. CCD is demanding that the government:
- Make sexual and reproductive health services disability-friendly, ensuring that hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies are physically accessible and that health information is available in Braille, sign language, and easy-to-read formats.
- Train healthcare providers on disability-inclusive care, ensuring respectful, non-discriminatory treatment of women with disabilities.
5. Ending Gender-Based Violence Against Women with Disabilities
CCD is calling for:
- Stronger laws and swift prosecution of perpetrators of violence against women with disabilities.
- Increased access to justice, with courts and police stations made more accessible for women with disabilities who want to report abuse.
- Safe shelters specifically designed for survivors of abuse with disabilities.
6. Infrastructure and Accessibility
Nigeria’s infrastructure remains largely inaccessible. CCD is urging the government to:
- Ensure that public spaces, transportation systems, and workplaces are designed to accommodate women and girls with disabilities.
- Incorporate universal design principles in all urban planning and construction projects.
7. Promoting the Inclusion of Women with Disabilities in Politics and Leadership
Women with disabilities remain severely underrepresented in governance, policymaking, and leadership roles. CCD is advocating for:
- More political appointments and elective positions for women with disabilities.
- Quotas to ensure fair representation in political parties and governance structures.
- Capacity-building programs to support women with disabilities in leadership development.
Beyond Words: The Time for Action is Now
As Nigeria joins the global community in celebrating International Women’s Day 2025, CCD is urging governments, policymakers, the private sector, civil society organizations, and individuals to take concrete steps toward accelerating gender equality for women and girls with disabilities.
“It is not enough to acknowledge the struggles of women with disabilities,” Unumeri stressed. “We must take deliberate action to dismantle barriers, challenge stereotypes, and create inclusive systems that empower women with disabilities to thrive.”
CCD is calling on all stakeholders to commit to real, measurable change—from policy implementation to grassroots empowerment programs. With bold action, accountability, and unwavering commitment, Nigeria can create a future where all women—regardless of ability—have equal rights, opportunities, and the dignity they deserve.
Conclusion: A Call to Collective Action
As the world celebrates International Women’s Day 2025, CCD is reminding leaders, organizations, and communities that gender equality must include all women—not just the able-bodied.
The struggles of women and girls with disabilities cannot remain on the sidelines of the gender equality movement. Their rights, voices, and aspirations must be at the center of all discussions on empowerment and inclusion.
“Together, we can break down barriers,” Unumeri concluded. “Together, we can accelerate action. The time is now.”
