By Christian Agbo
In a bold move to bring climate justice to the forefront of disability rights advocacy, Ondugbe Initiative for Women and Girls with Disabilities, in partnership with the Urgent Action Fund, embarked on a strategic advocacy mission to Nasarawa State from February 14th to 18th, 2025. The visit aimed to address a pressing but often neglected concern—the disproportionate impact of climate change on women and girls with disabilities (WGWDs).
Climate change, often described as a silent but devastating global crisis, is triggering more frequent and severe natural disasters including floods, droughts, erratic rainfall patterns, and extreme heatwaves. While these events endanger entire communities, they hit persons with disabilities—especially women and girls—the hardest, deepening their isolation and reducing their already limited access to emergency response, healthcare, and social protection.
During the weeklong advocacy, the Ondugbe team—led by Executive Director Faith Ekwo and Project Manager Alih Habibatu—held several high-level meetings with key stakeholders across the state. The team was warmly welcomed by Mr. Barde Saleh Keana, Chairman of the Nasarawa State Disability Rights Commission, who expressed genuine interest in the critical issues raised.
“We must be intentional about inclusion,” said Faith Ekwo during the meeting. “Climate policy and emergency response must not only mention persons with disabilities—they must actively reach and empower them, particularly women and girls who face multiple layers of discrimination.”
Mr. Keana, a strong advocate for disability rights, assured the team of the Commission’s commitment to pushing for inclusive climate adaptation strategies. His openness to collaboration gave the Ondugbe team renewed confidence in the possibility of systemic change.
The advocacy train also made a key stop at the Nasarawa Broadcasting Service (NBS), where the team met with its Executive Director, Mr. Flashman Aloko. The conversation focused on the critical role of media in building inclusive awareness around climate emergencies.
Aloko echoed the team’s concerns, saying, “The media must be a bridge—not a barrier. We have a responsibility to ensure that persons with disabilities receive timely information during climate crises.” He highlighted steps the NBS is taking to promote accessibility, including integrating sign language interpreters in climate and news broadcasts, and developing content that caters to diverse disabilities.
Further engagements were held with Pharm. Emmanuel Yona, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Women Affairs, and Mr. Muhammad Rosha from the Ministry of Environment. Both officials acknowledged that climate responses must adopt an inclusive lens to prevent the marginalization of vulnerable groups. They pledged to collaborate on future initiatives that prioritize the voices and needs of persons with disabilities.
Throughout the visit, one theme remained constant—the need for deliberate, inclusive action. Ondugbe Initiative emphasized that addressing climate change without including persons with disabilities, particularly women and girls, is both ineffective and unjust.
Speaking at the conclusion of the advocacy, Project Manager Alih Habibatu said, “We are not just advocating for policies—we are advocating for lives. Women and girls with disabilities deserve the right to survive, to adapt, and to thrive in the face of climate adversity.”
The visit to Nasarawa State stands as a powerful reminder that real climate justice must be inclusive. Ondugbe Initiative remains committed to advancing conversations and building partnerships that leave no one behind. As climate change continues to reshape our world, efforts like these are crucial in ensuring that those most at risk are not pushed further to the margins—but instead placed at the center of solutions.
