VDI to partner Nasarawa State govt to end incidences of sexual abuse against women with disabilities

October 9, 2021

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by Titus Mangudu, TQM correspondent, Lafia,

Nasarawa State government would partnering with Voice of Disability Initiative ( VDI) towards ensuring that sexual exploitation, violence and abuse of women with disabilities is ended in the state.

The secretary to the Nasarawa State government, Barrister Abubakar Urbandoma stated this at a two day workshop on sexual exploitation, violence and abuse for women with disabilities held at sandaji hotel Lafia, Nasarawa State.

It is part of activities under VDI project being funded by Disability Rights Fund (DRF).

He disclosed that Nasarawa State government in 2020 established state disability Rights commission with the aim of protecting persons with disabilities (PWDs) against discrimination like sexual abuse as well as providing amenities and skills acquisition to PWDs in the state.

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The SSG who was represented by Said Ayewa commended Voice of Disability Initiative for organising the advocacy workshop adding that the state government will partner with VDI to ensure that persons with disabilities have equal rights with others in Nasarawa State.

Addressing participants at the workshop the Executive Director, Voice of disability initiative, Barrister Edeh Catherine said the NGO is an inclusive and disability Rights Advocacy organisation in Nigeria dedicated to projecting and promoting inclusion of person with disabilities into the mainstream society. She said advancing the sexual and reproductive health rights of women and girls with disabilities project being implemented in Nasarawa State is aimed at increasing knowledge of women and girls with disabilities on sexual exploitation violence,and abuse and raising strong voice on right of women with disabilities.

Catherine observed with dismayed the way women with disabilities suffered neglect and are not consulted on issues nor their special needs considered on issue of SRHR in Nigeria , hence the need to promote inclusion of persons with disabilities into mainstream society. Delivering a paper titled “sexual and reproductive health and rights legal partways to curving right violation” Dr Grace Ilori , said maternity health services that are designed in Nigeria to address the needs of women most often lack the flexibility and responsiveness to meet the special maternity care and need of women with disabilities, this according to her has in many ways affected the growths and progress of women with disabilities in the country.

The advocacy workshop had in attendance representative of Nasarawa State ministry of justice, health Nigeria medical association, federation of women lawyers citizen center for justice , persons with disabilities and the media. The workshop discussed issues like , reproductive health rights of women with disabilities, maximizing effectiveness in data generating and dissemination.