- Warns Nigerians to desist from abusing, discriminating against PWDs
Stakeholders have warned Nigerians to stop abusing and discriminating against women and girls with disabilities, saying such crude attitudes would no longer be tolerated.
Rather, they called for a change of mindset towards people living with disabilities.
They gave the charge recently in Osogbo, capital of Osun State, during a community awareness programme on ending violence against women and girls with disabilities in the state.
The campaign against abuse and violence towards PWDs was held at the popular Igbona market in the capital city.
The programme, tagged: “Strengthening Existing VAWG/SGBV Prevention and Response Structure for Women and Girls with Disabilities in Lagos and Osun States (Project Hope),” was organised by a non-governmental organisation, Centre for Women’s Health and Information.
Speaking, Funmilayo Abdullahi, warned parents who have children with disabilities to stop locking them up in the house, saying there is ability in disability.
Abdullahi, a woman with physical disability, told traders and passersby at the market that if her parents had given up on her, she would not have made it in life.
She said it has become illegal for parents and guardians to deprive any PWD of their rights to liberty, freedom and opportunities to thrive in the society.
The chairman of the Joint Association of Persons With Disabilities, Osun State chapter, Oluwafemi Stephen, sought a change of attitude of Nigerians in the way they relate with PWDs, urging them to stop writing off the special citizens.
Stephen lamented that some men without disabilities take advantage of some female members of JONAPWD, by raping and jilting them after impregnating them.
He said this is one form of abuse and violence against women that should be discouraged.
He said, “We want a change of attitude and mindset towards PWDs. Stop ruining their lives by locking them inside. Stop discriminating against them. Show love to PWDs because these are the things they need to offer their best for societal growth.”
Stephen, who has sight impairment, called on parents and guardians to train their wards who are PWDs in school, saying “There are nine schools for special persons in Osun State for children and adults with disabilities to learn.”
“Give us opportunities to exercise our rights and enjoy the privileges later,” he told parents and guardians.
He lamented that “People abuse women who are PWDs. They rape women and girls with disabilities.
It is not good. Many men abandon women with disabilities after impregnating them. Many abscond and divorce their partners after giving birth to a child with disabilities. I wonder why they do all this. I am a senior teacher and I am proud of what I am now. My parents are also proud of me. People should stop maltreating PWDs.”
In his remarks, the Executive Secretary, Bureau of PWDs in Osun, Ayobami Oyetunde, also warned against abuse and violence against persons with disabilities.
Oyetunde told the people that the law says any parents or PWDs that engage with street begging will be prosecuted and sanctioned, adding that the agency he is heading has made arrangements for sustainable life for persons with disabilities.
Igbona market leaders joined advocacy against parents who hide their children with disabilities, urging them to ensure they get quality education and vacations that would make them financially independent.
Stella Osho, the programme officer of CEWHIN, said every person, regardless of their predicaments deserve a good life, saying the awareness was needed to eradicate stigmatisation and other challenges that female PWDs confront in Osun.
One of the participants with physical disability, Solomon Oluwaseun, recounted how she was rejected in school because of her condition, saying, “My school rejected me because of my condition. Later, another school accepted me. But, now I am an O level graduate and I still look forward to furthering my education.”
