Persons with disabilities seek media support over discrimination prohibition law

By Jethro Ibileke

The Chairperson of the Joint National Association of Persons With Disabilities (JoNAPWD), Edo State chapter, Ms Ann Ojiugo, has called for collaboration with the media to raise awareness on the Violence Against Persons With Disability Prohibition Law.

She made the call on Thursday in Benin, Edo State, at a one-day media parley about existing justice response and legal aid channels, organised by The Rule of law and Anti-Corruption (ROLAC II) Programme, in conjunction with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Edo State Council.

Ojiugo listed challenges faced by persons with disabilities to include access to public spaces and transportation, social stigma and discrimination, educational barriers, employment disparities, heath are disparities, financial strains, technological gaps, transportation challenges and mental health considerations.

She said, “Despite the passage of the disability rights law in 2022,the level of awareness and implementation is still very low.

“It is therefore imperative to hold this media parley to seek the support of the media to assist JoNAPWD in creating awareness of the disability rights law and securing the commitment of the relevant stakeholders for increased implementation of the disability rights law.”

In his oral presentation, ROLAC’s focal person, Imonite Omokhodion, listed objectives of the meeting to include:

Consolidation of the rule of law and anti-corruption reforms in Nigeria; to raise awareness among vulnerable populations and the general public about ng justice response mechanisms, legal aid channels, counselling services, SARCs, and shelters available in Edo State, and to enhance accessibility by reducing barriers to accessing justice and support services by providing clear information and guidance on accessing and utilising these resources effectively.

Omokhodion listed others, including empowering vulnerable populations with knowledge about their rights and available support services, which would enable them to make informed decisions and seek assistance when needed; and to foster and strengthen collaboration among Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), media outlets, government agencies, and relevant stakeholders to amplify the impact of advocacy efforts and media campaigns.

Edo State Commissioner for Social Development and Gender Issues, Mrs. Christabel Omo-Ekwu, Mrs Christabel Omo-Ekwu, who spoke on existing justice response and legal channels in state, disclosed that the state has done so much, with a view to reducing cases of gender-based violence to the bearest minimum.

Omo-Ekwu who was represented at the event by the Director (Gender Issues) of the Ministry, Mrs. Irenonden Ihensekhien, enumerated steps being taken to mitigate violence against both genders and persons living with disability and ensuring that offenders are prosecuted.

According to her, some of the steps they have taken so far include “setting up committees to oversee these issues, training and enlightening the masses about the law against gender-based violence and the need for victims to speak out and leveraging on the usage of primary health care centers across the 3 senatorial districts.

“The state government is doing so much to ensure that the child-rights law is implemented at all levels of the society with a view to protecting the children, especially at the grassroots.”

Earlier in his remark, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of journalists (NUJ), Edo State Council, Festus Alenkhe, urged journalist in the state to support people with disabilities by raising awareness on their needs and challenges.

The highpoint of the training was the presentation of the Edo State Violence Against Persons Law to all participants.