In a significant move towards advancing the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities, a coalition of stakeholders in Ebonyi State has called for the proper domestication of the Disability Draft Bill within the state. This call was made during a three-day sensitization training held in Abakaliki, organized by the Hope Inspired Foundation for Women and Youth with Disabilities, with support from the Disability Rights Fund.
The stakeholders, hailing from various sectors including government agencies, women groups, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), and others, gathered to review and adopt the Ebonyi State Disability Draft Bill. The event also served as a platform to educate participants on the provisions of various international agreements, including the VAPP law (as amended), the Maputo Protocol, the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).
Oluchi Nwite, the Program Lead for Hope Inspired Foundation for Women and Youth with Disabilities, emphasized the significance of domesticating the Disability Draft Bill in Ebonyi State. She pointed out that this move would greatly enhance the well-being of persons with disabilities, particularly through the establishment of a disability commission under the state’s Chief Executive’s office. Nwite commended the stakeholders for their contributions and called for continued commitment to improving the lives of persons with disabilities in Ebonyi and beyond.
She further urged the stakeholders to mobilize resources independently, beyond developmental partner sponsorships, to advocate for the well-being of persons with disabilities.
Ejiro Okotie, a Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) specialist and facilitator, highlighted the unique challenges faced by people with disabilities, particularly women. She stressed the importance of addressing these double challenges in society, emphasizing that women with disabilities are often more vulnerable to gender-based violence (GBV) in Ebonyi State.
Okotie explained, “Women with disabilities have higher rates of GBV in Ebonyi state due to the extra layer of marginalization and discrimination they suffer.” She called on service providers to enhance and improve their services to cater to the needs of women and girls with disabilities, as well as other persons with disabilities.
Rita Kigbara, a resource person, underscored the potential of the VAPP law (as amended) in addressing various forms of violence faced by people, including those with disabilities, especially women. However, she stressed that the key challenge lies in the implementation of the law. Kigbara called for commitment from all stakeholders, not just the government, to ensure the proper implementation of the VAPP law in the state.
She also highlighted the need for establishing a GBV court, as supported by the law, to ensure timely dispensation of justice for survivors of gender-based violence. Legal practitioners in the state, such as Bar Nkem Chukwu, and members of the state GBV taskforce, including Goodness Mgbaja, called for the harmonization of the VAPP law within the state to facilitate easier access to justice.
Ugwu Ugochinyere, the Women Leader of Women with Disabilities in Ebonyi State, expressed hope that the Disability Bill would significantly improve the lives of persons with disabilities, especially women and girls. She noted that the absence of a disability law had led to numerous challenges, and she firmly believed that this law would put an end to all forms of discrimination against persons with disabilities in the state.
