NAN-H-104
Disability
By Monday Ijeh
Abuja, March 8, 2017 (NAN) Women with disabilities in Nigeria on Wednesday in Abuja called for inclusiveness in government programmes and policies to reduce stigmatisation and ensure adequate protection of their interests.
The women made the called during a chat with newsmen organised by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Disability Matters.
The event, which has as its theme, ‘Be Bold for Change’, was organised to commemorate the 2017 International Women Day Celebration.
The women blamed the challenges facing women with disabilities in the country on government’s failure to include them in the planning of its programme and policies.
Mrs Helen Baba, who has hearing disability, lamented the challenges faced by the deaf and dumb in accessing healthcare.
She called for the provision for interpreters in hospitals across the country.
“The absence of interpreters for the deaf and dumb in hospital has over the years discouraged us from going to hospital and has resulted in avoidable deaths.
“I could remember when I was in labour because there was no interpreter, the doctor was talking and I was not hearing and it took the grace of God for me to deliver safely.
“So, my appeal to government is to encourage us to access healthcare by engaging interpreters because many women with disabilities are currently not accessing health care in Nigeria,” she said.
Another physically challenged woman, Mrs Hafisat Bello, called for support from individuals, government, NGOs and other corporate organisations to support the education of women with disabilities in the rural areas.
She expressed dismay at the increasing level of stigmatisation against women with disabilities in the area of education and called on families to accept persons with disabilities.
Bello advocated for scholarship scheme for this category of women to encourage them to embrace education, particularly in the northern part of the country.
Other speakers at the event, who lamented difficulties faced by the women in the area of transportation, housing and marriage, called for support and protection from government.
Dr Samuel Ankeli, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Disability Matters, said the event was organised to enable the women share their challenges.
He called for support from individuals, NGOs and other corporate organisations to address the challenges currently being faced by the women. (NAN)
IMC/DO/GY
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Edited by David Onilede/Grace Yussuf