The Inclusive Skills Development Initiative (ISDI) took a significant step forward in promoting gender equality and empowerment of women with disabilities by paying a courtesy visit to Her Excellency Ms. Beatrice Eyong, Country Representative of UN Women Nigeria, on August 30, 2024. The meeting, held at the UN Women Nigeria office, was characterized by engaging discussions and laid a strong foundation for future collaboration on advancing the rights and welfare of women and girls with disabilities in Nigeria.
The ISDI delegation, led by its Executive Director, Mrs. Angelina Ugben, was accompanied by representatives from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), showcasing a united front in advocating for inclusive policies and initiatives that cater to the unique needs of women with disabilities. The visit is part of ISDI’s ongoing efforts to foster partnerships with key stakeholders and institutions that can play a pivotal role in creating a more inclusive society for persons with disabilities.
Warm Reception and High-Level Discussions
Upon arrival, the ISDI team was warmly received by Ms. Beatrice Eyong and her team, who expressed her appreciation for the initiative’s work and its commitment to advocating for the inclusion of women and girls with disabilities in all aspects of society. Ms. Eyong emphasized the importance of collaboration and expressed her excitement about the potential synergies between UN Women Nigeria and ISDI.
The dialogue centered around various pressing issues, including the barriers that women with disabilities face in accessing education, employment, healthcare, and leadership opportunities. Mrs. Angelina Ugben, in her address, highlighted the challenges women with disabilities encounter, particularly in rural communities, where stigma, discrimination, and lack of resources often hinder their progress.
“Women with disabilities are not just marginalized by their gender but also by their disability status,” Mrs. Ugben stated passionately. “This intersectional disadvantage means that they face double discrimination, which limits their access to opportunities that could transform their lives. We believe that partnerships like this one with UN Women are crucial in dismantling these barriers and ensuring that no woman is left behind.”
The Roadmap for Empowerment and Inclusion
One of the key outcomes of the meeting was the discussion of a strategic roadmap for implementing programs that would address the multifaceted challenges faced by women and girls with disabilities in Nigeria. ISDI presented its vision for capacity-building initiatives, skills development, and advocacy campaigns designed to empower women with disabilities, enabling them to become self-reliant, economically independent, and active contributors to society.
Ms. Beatrice Eyong commended ISDI for its dedication to advancing the cause of women with disabilities and reiterated UN Women’s commitment to supporting initiatives that promote gender equality and empowerment. “At UN Women, we believe in the potential of every woman, regardless of her ability or disability,” she said. “We are committed to creating a society where women with disabilities can thrive, participate fully, and realize their aspirations.”
Addressing the Critical Role of Human Rights
The presence of representatives from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) added a critical dimension to the discussion, emphasizing the human rights perspective of addressing issues faced by women with disabilities. NHRC’s involvement underscored the importance of protecting and promoting the rights of women with disabilities, ensuring they have equal access to opportunities and are protected from all forms of discrimination and violence.
Mr. Michael Ajayi, the NHRC representative, emphasized the need for a coordinated approach to tackling these challenges. “It is not enough to create policies; we must also ensure that these policies are implemented effectively and that women with disabilities are aware of their rights and how to claim them,” he asserted. “This collaboration with ISDI and UN Women is a step in the right direction towards achieving this goal.”
Strengthening Partnership and Moving Forward
The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment from all parties to work together in advocating for policies that will create a more inclusive environment for women and girls with disabilities. ISDI and UN Women Nigeria agreed to explore areas of collaboration in capacity-building, policy advocacy, and community outreach to ensure that women with disabilities have access to education, vocational training, healthcare, and employment opportunities.
Mrs. Angelina Ugben expressed her optimism about the partnership’s potential impact, stating, “This engagement with UN Women is a significant milestone for us at ISDI. We are confident that, together, we can champion the rights of women with disabilities and ensure that their voices are heard at every level of decision-making.”
She added, “Our vision is to see a society where women with disabilities are not only empowered but are also recognized as valuable contributors to economic development, social progress, and nation-building. We believe that with the support of organizations like UN Women, this vision will become a reality.”
A Step Toward Inclusivity and Gender Equality
This meeting between ISDI and UN Women Nigeria signifies a significant step toward achieving greater inclusivity and gender equality in Nigeria. It reflects the growing recognition of the importance of addressing the unique challenges faced by women with disabilities and the need to develop holistic, multi-sectoral approaches to empower them.
As the discussions concluded, both organizations expressed their eagerness to transform the ideas exchanged into concrete actions that would have a lasting impact on the lives of women with disabilities. The visit marked the beginning of what promises to be a fruitful partnership, with both ISDI and UN Women Nigeria committed to working together to break down barriers and create opportunities for women with disabilities across the country.
The Way Forward
Moving forward, ISDI plans to continue its advocacy efforts, leveraging the partnership with UN Women to reach a wider audience and influence policy changes at the national level. The organization is also keen on expanding its programs to provide more skills development and economic empowerment opportunities for women with disabilities, ensuring they can lead independent and fulfilling lives.
UN Women Nigeria’s commitment to supporting these initiatives will undoubtedly enhance the impact of ISDI’s work and contribute to building a more inclusive society where every woman, regardless of her abilities, has the chance to thrive.
Conclusion
The courtesy visit by ISDI to UN Women Nigeria was more than just a meeting; it was a powerful demonstration of the possibilities that can emerge when organizations unite with a shared vision of inclusion, empowerment, and gender equality. As this partnership takes root, it is hoped that it will inspire more stakeholders to join the movement toward creating a society where women with disabilities are empowered, valued, and given the opportunity to contribute to the growth and development of Nigeria.
