ABAKALIKI – Stakeholders on women and girls with Disabilities have called for punishment/criminalization of persons guilty of undue interventions in cases of prosecution of matters concerning violence against women and girls.
They said that efforts to reduce and end such sexual and gender based violence have suffered setback caused by undue influence by families, communities of survivors.
That was on the occasion of a consultative meeting which was organized by Women’s Rights Health (WRAHP), at Blossom Height Unique Hotel, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.
Objectives of the meeting were to share with stakeholders in Ebonyi state the experiences of a one year project implementation on “Amplifying the voices of women and girls with Disabilities against SGBV” and to make recommendations on the way forward; elicit stakeholders’ contributions and commitments towards addressing the challenge of SGBV against women and girls with Disabilities.
Mr. Francis Umoh, Program Manager of the organization , said that the World Health Organization (WHO’s) report on Disability 2011, up to 25 million Nigerians are living with at least one disability and more than 50% are females.
“In Nigeria, due to widespread discrimination, extensive rights violations, neglect and stigmatization, women and girls with disabilities are at 3 times greater risks of suffering physical, sexual and economic abuse compared women and girls without disabilities.
“This risk is further exacerbated by lack of information and limited capacity of women with disabilities to assert their sexual and reproductive rights, report rights infringements/violations and demand a more inclusive justice system that caters to their unique needs.Barriers affecting women and girls with disabilities from accessing justice Lack of access of information and limited capacity of WGDs to assert their rights, report violations and demand a more inclusive justice system that caters for their unique needs.
“The one-year project implementation in Ebonyi State achieved the following:18 key influencers of public opinion and stake holders in Ebonyi State engaged via advocacy meeting to support the rights of women and girls with Disabilities. These comprised representatives from; (government Ministries and Agencies, international development partners, civil society organizations and networks including persons with disabilities.”
