Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), Anambra State Chapter has urged its leaders to challenge harmful beliefs that make persons with disabilities easy targets for abuse.
State Chairman, JONAPWD, Comrade Okeke Ugochukwu Ernest made the call in Awka during a Dialogue of Leaders with Disabilities on Gender-Based Violence Prevention.
The event themed: “From Complaint to Deliberate Action — Redefining Disability Inclusion for Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Community Protection,” was supported by ActionAid.
Okeke stressed the need for the members to be empowered with information about their rights as well as encourage survivors to speak without shame.
“We must create an environment where a person who reports violence is believed, supported, protected and properly referred—not blamed, silenced or abandoned,” he said.
Underscoring importance of partnerships to build accessible, safe and responsive disability-inclusive GBV response system, Okeke appreciated ActionAid for the sponsorship as well as ensuring JONAPWD’s inclusion in efforts to prevent GBV and PWDs from abuse.
“We need strong partnerships with the Anambra State Government, the Disability Rights Commission, relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies, the police and other security institutions, health institutions, justice actors, development partners, civil society organisations, traditional rulers, religious leaders and the media.
“Our message to every stakeholder should be clear: Persons with disabilities must not be an afterthought in GBV prevention and protection programmes.
“Disability inclusion must be deliberately built into planning, budgeting, awareness campaigns, reporting mechanisms, referral systems and community protection strategies.
“If one person with a disability who is at risk is protected because of an action we took, that is progress. If one survivor receives timely support because a disability leader knew the right referral pathway, that is progress.
“If one potential perpetrator is stopped because our awareness programme reached a vulnerable community, that is progress.
“If our members become more confident to report abuse because they know that their leaders will stand with them, that is progress.
“Let us commit ourselves to deliberate action. The fight against gender-based violence cannot be left only to survivors after they have suffered.
“Together, we can build disability communities where every woman, every girl, every boy and every person with a disability can live with dignity, safety, equality and freedom from violence,” he added.
Also speaking, Muslim Co-Chairman on GBV in Anambra Alhaji Sheriff Olanrewaju said women and girls with disabilities face “ten times” the risk of GBV due to dependence on caregivers, mobility and communication barriers.
He urged government to investigate and regulate traditional practitioners linked to abuse, and stressed the importance of sign language for deaf persons to access justice.
Acting Head of the Anambra State Disability Rights Commission, Mrs. Jane Ajaegbu, and ActionAid Focal Person, Mrs. Perpetual Nwakelundu, pledged stronger collaboration with JONAPWD to strengthen prevention efforts.
The high point of the dialogue which attracted government officials, Anambra State Disability Rights Commission, CSOs, religious leaders, security agencies, and JONAPWD coordinators from the 21 LGAs was the adoption of action plans.
LGA Coordinators and cluster leaders pledged to prevent, protect, report, refer, follow up and demand accountability at all levels, assuring that disability would never be used as reason for violence, exploitation or exclusion in the state.
