In a groundbreaking move to combat violence against women and girls with disabilities, the Centre for Women’s Health and Information (CEWHIN), a non-governmental organization, orchestrated a strategic meeting with key stakeholders in Osun State. The objective was clear: to empower those directly involved in providing services to survivors of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) and devise a robust technical plan to address this pervasive issue.
During the one-day Stakeholders Forum on Technical Action/Sustainable Plan in Osogbo, participants pledged support for CEWHIN’s UN Trust Fund-supported project, signaling a united front against violence within the disability community. The UN Trust Fund, a global grant-making mechanism, has already supported 609 organizations in 140 countries, reinforcing its commitment to combating violence against women and girls.
The dynamic gathering included representatives from the Joint National Association of Persons With Disabilities, various communities representing people with disabilities, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, and the state police command. Additionally, officers from the Ministries of Health, Justice, and Women Affairs, as well as members from legal, civil society, and media sectors, contributed to the robust discussions.
Facilitator Dr. Benjamin Ayeni encouraged stakeholders to conduct SWOT analyses to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. This approach aimed to foster collaboration, address gaps in awareness, prevention, and response to SGBV against women and girls with disabilities.
Stakeholders underscored the importance of activating relevant policies and legislation, enhancing mobility, leveraging media for sensitization, and fostering synergy among various entities. Their collective emphasis on these key elements highlighted a holistic approach to combatting violence.
CEWHIN Director Atinuke Odukoya outlined the organization’s mission to enhance lives and promote social change through empowering individuals, particularly focusing on gender equality. The ongoing UN Trust Fund-supported project spans three years, with the primary goal of strengthening prevention and response structures in Lagos and Osun States.
Odukoya detailed the project’s outcomes, including increased community awareness, strengthened referral pathways, improved access to multi-sectoral services, and enhanced prevention strategies. She stressed the importance of sustainability, urging stakeholders to ensure that their actions have a lasting impact on the comprehensive eradication of SGBV.
A participant, Funmilayo Abdullahi, expressed optimism, stating, “This Stakeholders Forum is timely because, as a person with a disability, there are certain limitations we have been confronting. With the assurances and commitments from the stakeholders, I believe violence against the disability community will soon be a thing of the past.”
CEWHIN’s ambitious initiative, backed by a diverse group of committed stakeholders, marks a pivotal moment in the fight against violence targeting women and girls with disabilities in Osun State.
