The Executive Secretary, National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, Mr. James David Lalu today 8th of March, 2022 joined women all over the world to celebrate the International Day for Women and seized the occasion to re-echo his commitment towards improving access to justice for women especially those with disabilities.
The event which was tagged, “Breaking the Bias; Addressing Disparities in Access to Justice for Women with Disabilities” provided the platform feminine advocacy and integration of women into the social order.
Ably represented by the Head, Women and Gender Unit of the Commission, Mrs. Olanike Akinbola, the ES thanked the organizers of the event for bringing together the Amazons from different backgrounds, stating that he is dedicated to the ideals of gender equality. He further stated that his passion for women rights and equality, compelled him to setup the Women and Gender Unit at the Commission.
According to him, the Commission is committed to ensuring that women with disabilities are guaranteed improved access to justice in order to work and break barriers that keep women with disabilities socially excluded.
Mr. Lalu revealed that he has successfully collaborated with the Nigerian Police force to have a Special Disability Desk set up at all Police Commands throughout the Federation to ensure that PWDs and WWDs can easily report any incident of injustice as soon as the offices become operational.
Speaking further, he remarked that it was important for women with disabilities to recognize that their rights and dignity as women were protected by law and they had as much rights as any other women in the society to push for equity in the society.
The ES encouraged all present at the event to remain strong and resilient and continue to strive to lead meaningful and more productive lives regardless of the patriarchal nature of the Nigerian society. He further buttressed on the need for women to seize every chance they have to reaffirm their role in Nation- building and to refuse to bow or be cowed by the pressure of dealing with the triple effect of their gender, disability and vulnerability.
He reassured that the Commission will support women with disabilities to ensure that the obstacles to accessing justice would be reduced and that women with disabilities can benefit from the arrays of available programs by the Federal government, declaring that the Commission’s efforts are in line with the mantra “Nothing about us without us”.
The Head of the European Union delegation to Nigeria, Mr. Alexandre Bordes Gumez also expressed his pleasure at being at the event and assured women with disabilities of the EU’s commitment to end all forms of barriers and inequalities. He underscored the inevitable impact that women make in the society and equally wished them a happy celebration.
In the same vein, the Executive Director, Deaf Women Aloud Initiative (DWAI) Mrs. Helen Beyioku-Alase lamented the low representation of women in elected offices which eventually has been responsible for poor policy in advancing the course of women in various facets of life. She, therefore, beckoned on both government and non-governmental organizations to make women with disabilities partners in progress so to have an inclusive society.
Also present at the occasion was Inclusive Friends Association, (IFA) led by Ms. Grace Jerry.
