A one-day women’s conference and summit for women with difficulties in hearing has ended with a call on government at all levels to introduce sign language in school curriculum and churches for all-inclusiveness.
The call was made by the State Chairman of Joint Association of Person’s with Disability, Comrade Ugochukwu Okeke at Awka while addressing Deaf Women Association of Nigeria, South East and South South zone.
The summit with the theme “Recognizing Deaf Women to Achieve Gender Equality” aimed at realizing their strength and abilities to step out in order to contribute to the society and tell the world their abilities to perform if given the needed opportunity.
Comrade Okeke commended the association for the summit where they showcased themselves for the world to know their ability in disabilities and to seek government as well as the entire society’s help in giving these women equal opportunity.
He regretted that some people are taking undo advantage of them because of lack of job while some are being raped, molested and exposed to all manner of ills, pleading that they should be employed in different offices and that government should place a sign interpreter in general hospitals so that pregnant ones can attend anti-natal as according to him, many dies during child birth for not having access to health care services. The State Director, Public Health, Ministry of Health, Mr Afam Anieme, represented by Mrs Rose Amasiani extolled the group for coming up with such ideas, stating that they should not relent in holding programmes that will broaden their knowledge.
On her part, the Anambra State Woman Leader of Joint Association of Persons with Disability, Comrade Ncheta Nwanokwara reiterated state government’s commitment towards people with disabilities noting that Anambra is the first state that enacted laws protecting persons with disabilities and encouraged them to know when their rights are infringed on so as not to be intimidated.
Earlier in her address of welcome, the Zonal Coordinator of Deaf Women Association of Nigeria, Mrs Maria Alufo-Ekpo said they wanted to use the summit to register their presence each year with the rest of the world to increase awareness and advocacy in understanding of the issues that deaf women and girls face especially discrimination.
While welcoming the delegates, the Anambra State Chairperson, Mrs Ifunanya Okoye said there is need to educate stakeholders to provide inclusion of deaf women and girls to be part of decision-making process as they are faced with many challenges.
Lecture on human trafficking, child abuse, gender-based violence from NAPTIP, Anambra State Command, delivered by the Zonal Commander, Judith Chukwu-Ibadim represented by Mrs Ifeoma Maduabuchi featured at the summit.
