National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), has resolved to partner with ‘She Writes Woman Mental Health Initiative’ to ensure the rights of persons with psychosocial disability in the Nigeria.
The Executive Secretary of NCPWD, Mr. James David Lalu made this committment at an annual high-level roundtable on Mental Health conditions on psychosocial disability organized by NCPWD in partnership with She Writes Woman on Tuesday in Abuja.
Lalu said that persons with mental disabilities have been neglected overtime even within the disability community, they are highly discriminated against by the society which has led to all sort of maltreatment from the society and also at the places where they supposed to receive help.
He said that the commission is here to bridge the gap, ensure that persons with psychosocial disabilities have recognized and their rights stop being violated within the society.
“I have now realized another form of disability community. Now, we have to take that opportunity to address the lapses”.
“We will ensure that the dehumanizing treatment by the psychiatric hospitals and even the society is put to an end”.
“We will partner with She Writes Woman Initiative, the Federal Ministry of Health and other relevant stakeholders to get the bill on psychosocial disability before President is signed into law so that the group can be protected by law”
He expressed confidence that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is so kind to disability matters and expressed hope that the bill can be signed by the President.
He urged the opportunity to appreciate President Muhammadu Buhari for signing the Disability Act and establishing the NCPWD.
He then made a pronouncement that in the next phase of NCPWD recruitment, persons with psychosocial disability would be considered and a special unit within the Commission would be created to tackle the issue of mental health and also create a budgetary allocation to finance it.
He reassured the commitment of the Commission towards alleviating the sufferings of PWDs and call on stakeholders partnership towards assisting the commission to achieve its mandate.
He urged everyone to show concern because as long as you are alive, you don’t know the kind of disability you may face in future.
Ms Hauwa Ojiefo, the Founder and Executive Director of She Writes Woman Initiative in her speech thanked Disability Rights Fund for giving her organization the opportunity to put together the stories of hundreds of Nigerians with psychosocial disability and urged that it is time for everyone to speak out against stigma and discrimination against persons with mental disability.
Through video presentation, she painted a picture of dehumanizing state that the society is subjecting persons with mental disability in the name of treatment. Persons With Psychosocial disabilities being chained and no effort of managing their condition professionally which deteriorated their condition instead of improving it and their rights have taken away from them and no one care how they feel and what their needs. The society has subjected them to a lot of difficulties.
Ojiefo narrated how vibrant she was growing before she was raped and violated which led to her psychosocial challenges and through “She Writes Woman” she has overcome the challenges and has found voice for herself and for many others with psychosocial disabilities.
She challenged the society on proper care and acceptance of people with mental health issues and urged the President to sign the Psychosocial bill before him to give persons with these conditions sense of belonging.
Mr Theophilus Odaudu program manager, Disability Right Advocacy Funds, said that the discuss of persons with psychosocial disability is long overdue, the issue has not be given adequate attention. Even though, the issue is enshrined in National Disability Act when it talks about their free healthcare but the Act was silent about the rights which the NCPWD should work together with She Write Woman to put more pressure and ensure that the Mental Disability Bill is signed into law.
He urged the NCPWD and other relevant stakeholders to ensure that persons with psychosocial disability are always carried along in the discussion regarding their issues.
Mrs Oluchi Adaeze from the National Human Rights Commission reassured the commitment of Commission towards the rights of every Nigerian and PWDs and persons with psychosocial disabilities are not exception.
“No one should be left behind in the discussion of the rights of persons with disabilities”.
He urged all stakeholders to contribute their quota towards addressing the challenges associate with psychosocial disabilities”.
Dr Tunde Ojo, from the National Mental Health Programme of the Federal Ministry of Health, explained that mental health policies have never been effectively implemented in the country.
“However, we are now in the process of development and implementation of the programme.
He expressed worry over lack of access to good psychosocial services.
“This is because, it is only one out of 10 persons with mental health issues that has access to good and professional treatment and care,“ he said.
He noted that Mental Health Bill before the President if it is signed will be of great assistance to persons with psychosocial disabilities because it is all encompassing.
Florence Marcus from Association of Lawyers With Disabilities in Nigeria (ALDIN) said that ALDIN will be there to ensure that persons with psychosocial disabilities get justice when their rights are violated.
“ALDIN will collaborate “She Write Woman” to ensure the rights of persons with mental health challenges are not violated”
TQM reports that persons with psychosocial disabilities at the event shared their experiences which was thought provoking.
She Writes Woman” is a health-based NGO promoting the dignity and liberty of people with mental health conditions and strives to empower people with lived experience to tell their own stories and co-create their own solutions and advocate for their own rights.
The event witnessed the present of directors of NCPWD, other stakeholders from the disability community, governmental agencies and International NGOs.
