Abuja, Nigeria — In a major stride toward strengthening gender equality, digital safety, and inclusive governance, the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has officially inaugurated the Women with Disabilities Network for Peace and Security (WDNPS).
The historic inauguration took place at a high-level Multistakeholder Policy Dialogue in Abuja, organised to mark both the 2025 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence and the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD). The event was convened by the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs in partnership with SPRiNG Nigeria and the Women with Disabilities Networks, bringing together key players across government, security agencies, civil society, technology institutions, and development sectors.
“Shame Belongs to Perpetrators, Not Victims” — Minister Imaan
In her keynote address, Minister Sulaiman-Ibrahim described the inauguration as a decisive moment in Nigeria’s effort to deepen inclusion and ensure that women with disabilities are not left behind in national peace and security architecture.
She declared:
“This gathering reinforces Nigeria’s commitment to inclusion, digital safety, and leadership for women with disabilities.”
The Minister condemned stigma and persistent harmful norms that continue to silence survivors of gender-based violence, urging collective action to dismantle those barriers.
“Let us break the culture of silence and shame that forces survivors to suffer in the dark. Shame belongs to the perpetrators, not the victims.”
She aligned her message with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, affirming that national leadership is committed to ensuring that all citizens—especially the most vulnerable—are carried along.
“… inspired by the bold and compassionate leadership of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, whose Renewed Hope Agenda calls us to build a nation where no citizen is left behind.”
Moment of Silence for GBV Victims as Minister Condemns Rising Insecurity
In a solemn moment, Minister Imaan called for one minute of silence in honour of victims of gender-based violence across the country. She described the recent kidnappings of women and schoolchildren as “deeply distressing”, expressing firm hope for their safe return.
This emotional appeal underscored the gravity of security challenges affecting Nigerian women—particularly women with disabilities who face compounded vulnerabilities.
Historic Milestones Underscore Nigeria’s Commitments
The Minister also drew attention to global milestones shaping gender and disability rights, including the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and 25 years of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 (UNSCR 1325) on Women, Peace and Security.
She noted:
“Standing on three decades of institutional history… we are called to reaffirm our duty to all women and girls, especially those living with disabilities.”
Reiterating Nigeria’s obligations under key frameworks—the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), the Maputo Protocol, the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, and the VAPP Act—the Minister announced government steps toward operationalising the newly approved Third National Action Plan (NAP III) on Women, Peace and Security.
Government Deepens Digital Empowerment for Women with Disabilities
Highlighting the federal government’s push for digital inclusion, Minister Imaan praised emerging technologies designed to support vulnerable women. She described the Happy Woman App as:
“a gateway connecting women with disabilities to finance, skills, and protection mechanisms.”
The application, she said, will expand opportunities for women with disabilities by bridging information and empowerment gaps.
SPRiNG Nigeria Warns: “The Digital Space Has Become a New Frontline of Danger”
Delivering the programme overview, Dr. Ukoha Ukiwo, the Team Leader for the Tetra Tech SPRiNG Programme, emphasized the urgency of strengthening protection mechanisms as Nigeria navigates evolving peace and security realities.
He noted that multiple forms of violence continue to shape the life chances of Nigerians, adding that the SPRiNG Programme—funded by the UK Government—is structured to:
“promote stability, strengthen institutions, and support communities adapting to the realities of climate change.”
Dr. Ukiwo issued a stark warning about online threats faced by women and girls:
“The digital space… has become a new frontline of danger for women and girls,”
especially women and girls with disabilities, who face heightened risks of cyberstalking, online blackmail, image-based abuse, and other digital threats.
“Inclusion Is Not a Favour — It Is a Right” — Lois Auta
President of the Network of Women with Disabilities, Lois Auta, delivered a powerful call to action.
She insisted:
“Inclusion is not a favour. It is a right; and safety is not optional, it is essential.”
Auta highlighted alarming statistics showing that women with disabilities are:
Three times more likely to experience cyberstalking
More vulnerable to blackmail and image-based abuse
Targeted in digital fraud and online scams
She stressed that the Policy Dialogue was not another ceremonial gathering but:
“a call to action.”
A United Stakeholder Front for Peace, Safety, and Digital Inclusion
The Dialogue convened an impressive range of stakeholders—policymakers, security operatives, technology experts, development partners, disability advocates, and representatives of women’s networks.
Together, they explored innovative approaches to:
Bolster digital safety for women with disabilities
Expand digital literacy and access to technology
Strengthen participation of women with disabilities in peacebuilding and national security
Ensure inclusive policies guided by global and national frameworks
The inauguration of the Women with Disabilities Network for Peace and Security (WDNPS) marks a major advancement in Nigeria’s commitment to ensuring that women with disabilities are strategic actors—not spectators—in shaping peace, safety, and national development.
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