Women with Disabilities (WWDs) in Ekiti have advocated for their inclusion in the Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Management Committee set up by the Ekiti State Government.
The inclusion, according to the WWDs, would help to achieve effective policy reform and enhance inclusive and accessible GBV reporting and response mechanisms in the state.
The WWDs made their request known during an advocacy visit to the Special Adviser to the Ekiti state Governor on Special Education and Social Inclusion, Hon. Princess Adetoun Funmilayo Agboola at the state government office.
The advocacy which was led by Disability Not A Barrier Initiative (DINABI) with support from Disability Rights Fund (DRF) aims to advance the rights of women and girls with disabilities to freedom from gender-based violence in Ekiti state.
The Woman Leader of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) Ekiti State Chapter, Mrs Gbemisola Bankole, implored Hon Agboola to use her office to ensure the inclusion of a woman with disability in the state’s GBV management committee, adding that such would give women and girls with disabilities a sense of belonging and that their rights are been protected.
Mrs Bankole thereafter presented the copies of the GBV policy brief produced by DINABI Nigeria titled “Policy Brief on GBV Coordinating Mechanism and Disability Perspective in Ekiti Sate” to the Special Adviser.
The Executive Director of DINBI, Mr. Olajide Funso explained that women and girls with disabilities (WGWDs) face double discrimination in the society, first being a woman and then being a woman with disabilities which invariably increases their chances of being violated, harassed and discriminated against.
Mr. Olajide sought the support of the Special Adviser and the state government towards the implementation of the recommendations outlined in the Policy Brief presented to her.
He also buttressed on the inclusion of WWDs in the GBV management committee of the state to afford WGWDs who are victims and survivors of GBV to have a voice at the decision-making table and unhindered access to justice.
In her response, Hon. Agboola appreciated DINABI and DRF for their efforts towards ensuring an inclusive society where PWDs can actualize their full potential without any barrier.
She affirmed her unwavering support towards ensuring that WWDs are included in the Ekiti State GBV Management Committee as this will promote safe society, access to justice and a conducive environment for WGWDs to thrive favourably with their men counterparts.
She promised to communicate the outcome of the advocacy visit to the state government to facilitate necessary actions in due time.