By Angela Atabo
The Inclusive Friends Association (IFA), a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) has trained 30 Persons with Disabilities(PWDs) on prevention of Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) at the grassroots.
Ms Suzan Ihouma, the Gender Programme Officer, IFA, said this at the closing of the training in Abuja on Tuesday.
Ihouma said that the training was done in partnership with Voice of Women Empowerment Foundation.
She said the organisations decided to build the capacity of community women and girls with disabilities in the six area councils on SGBV in commemoration of the 16 days of activism.
She said that the measure was imperative because PWDs suffered from SGBV three times more than persons without disabilities because of inequalities.
She said that most times PWDs suffer SGBV from their intimate partners, caregivers, family members, employers among others, because of their vulnerability.
`The whole essence of the training is to strengthen their capacity to know what the Disability Law says, and also know what the violence against person’s prohibition Act is.
“This because without that, the essence of the 16 days of activism which aims to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls will be defeated.
“We found out that most times information does not trickle down to persons with disabilities at the grassroots causing a knowledge gap.
“They might be experiencing one form of violence or discrimination as persons with disability and they do not even know it. That was what necessitated this particular training to help them know their rights,” she said.
She said that the moratorium period of five years given by the persons with disabilities act would elapse in January 2024 and sanctions would begin to be meted out to defaulters.
“This is good because any organisation that has not tried to mainstream inclusion after five years, needs to be closed down,’’ she said.
Ms Inakeme Ojineme, Technical Assistance Community Engagement, Association of Local Governments in Nigeria (ALGON), FCT chapter, said the training was key because it would help to carry PWDs along in the fight against SGBV.
“We have the agenda 2063 of leaving no one behind and that is what we are doing today to create an inclusive environment for everyone, irrespective of tribe and status.
“So for me, bringing this woman across these area councils today is very key , it is a laudable programme,” he said.
Ms Jamila Abdullahi, a PWD participant and hairdresser, said there was a need to end SGBV among PWDs because it was traumatising.
“I came here to learn about violence against women and girls with disabilities. I want it to end .
“I have learnt so many things today, like how to get justice and get my right in case of any violation and how to take a stand against it because I know my rights now,” she said.(NAN)
