by Agbo Chris
On 11th June 2019, Disability Rights Advocacy Centre (DRAC) commenced its Community town hall meetings on Ending Sexual and Gender based Violence and Disability Based Violence in FCT in Abaji Area Council of FCT. A project known as STOP Sexual and Gender Based Violence (STOPSGBV) is powered by CBM. The Community Town Hall meeting is to sensitize the locals in six area councils of FCT on Discrimination against persons with disabilities (Prohibition) Act and Violence against Persons Prohibition Act (VAPP ACT) using the simplified version of the Acts.
The event was attended by the leaders of disability community, youth leaders, women leaders, traditional leaders and religious leaders.
The simplified version of the Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018 and Violence against Persons Prohibition Act were displayed to them using well illustrated posters in local language to their own understanding. They asked questions after the presentations and their questions were well attended to. The Chief Imam and the pastor present at the event gave their goodwill messages to the team.
The team assured the community that this is the beginning of their engagement in the community; another phase of the engagement which is the economic empowerment of people with disabilities especially women and girls will be introduced.
In the end, the members of the community unanimously declared to promote and respect the human rights of Persons with Disabilities in the community. They also committed themselves to change negative societal norms and practices against persons with disabilities especially women and girls.
Below are the community declarations:
- We declare that will seek to resolve Discrimination against persons with disabilities in our community.
- PWDs especially woman and girls are given opportunities like everyone else in the community.
- Existing and New buildings will be made accessible to persons with disabilities
HERE ARE SOME PICTURES OF THE EVENT
