By Loveth Obiora
Deaf Women Aloud Initiative (DWAI) on Thursday 10th December 2020 held a program titled 2020 international human rights day/launching & unveiling of glossary for sexual & reproductive health in Nigeria sign- language with the theme “increasing access to health services and information for deaf women and girls with sign-language”. This project is supported by Oxfam voice Nigeria.
The Executive director, Deaf Women Aloud Initiative (DWAI) Mrs. Hellen Beyioku -Alase in her opening speech acknowledged the present of Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH), Federal Ministry of Women Affair, Federal Capital Territory Health and Human Services (FCT HHS), Federal Capital Territory Primary Health Care Board (FCT PHCB), VOICE, Ipas, Marie Stopes International Organization of Nigeria, Disabled People Organization, Deaf Women Association of Nigeria, Nigeria National Association of Deaf, the Media, Diplomats, keynote speaker Dr. Nihinlola Mabogunje and other invited guests.
She further said that it is international human rights day, a day we uphold the rights which everyone is entitled to as a human being regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.
She said the theme of the year international human rights day is recover better – stand up for human rights, now what way can they recover better but to stand up for the rights of deaf women and that is why DWAI is launching and unveiling the first ever glossary for sexual and reproductive health in Nigerian sign- language.
She said the vision for the project came years back following her experience and that of other deaf women when they try to access sexual and reproductive health services in the language that they understand and since the vision was birthed bringing it to fruition has not been a walk in the park but the passion to stand up for their rights has made it possible for them to hold this beautiful work in their hands today and they hope that the glossary will go a long way to bridge the communication gap between deaf women and health workers when they seek access to sexual and reproductive health services.
She further said she want to use this medium to beckon on the International community, Governments, and Non-government organizations to key into their project, collaborate with them and ensure full participation of PWDs and with sign-language nothing that “nothing about us without us”, and to leave no one behind according to the UN Secretary- General in achieving the central promise of the 2030 agenda.
Finally, she appreciated the efforts of the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, the office of Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, office of Ministry of Women Affairs and National Assembly for taking a giant step to appoint the executive members who are also PWDs for the new established National Commission for PWDs as well as SSAs and Special Advisers, and this is a good step towards ensuring full realization of inclusion of PWDs in almost every area in our society, but despite the giant strides a lot needs to be done to sensitize the society, about the disability inclusion and access and the content of discrimination against PWDs (Prohibition) Act 2018 to yield the best outcomes
At the end, she also thanked all participants, representatives, partners and their donor voice global for finding their project worthy of sponsorship.
Federal Ministry of Women Affairs represented by Victoria Lar, in her goodwill message appreciated the Executive director, DWAI for a good work and launching of the glossary, she said the glossary will help the health service providers in understanding the needs of deaf women in the health sector and she hope that this will be the beginning of such things in other to achieve inclusion in every aspect of life.
FCT Health and Human Services, Babajide Steven in his goodwill message thanked DWAI for launching of this glossary and promised everyone the FCT health and human service will make sure that the glossary will help them in understanding the need of deaf women in the health sector, and they are looking forward to collaborate more with DWAI.
Other goodwill messages was given by Director FCT Primary Health Care Board, Ruqayya Wamakko, Vice President Nigeria National Association of Deaf Mr. Haruna Mohammed, Representative Oxfam VOICE Nigeria Mrs. Ijeoma Okwor.
The keynote address was given by Dr. Nihinlola Mabogunje with the topic access to healthcare for deaf women, a must for successful inclusive society, and Dr. Ijeoma Nnodim guest speaker on sexual and reproductive health glossary: the journey to production of Nigerians first sexual and reproductive health sign – language glossary.
The highlight of the event was unveiling of the glossary by Dr Musa Emmanuel, a Consultant and Surgeon representing MD Maitama district hospital, the glossary was distributed five copies to the representative of different hospital present such as kuje, kubwa, bwari, maitama, kwali, asokoro and also to the media partners like NTA, Mi TV The Qualitative Magazine (TQM) and some participants at the event also got some copies.
SOME PICTURES OF THE EVENT:
