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NewsShow PWDs empathy, not sympathy - CSOs, urge Gov't, stakeholders

Show PWDs empathy, not sympathy – CSOs, urge Gov’t, stakeholders

Show PWDs empathy, not sympathy – CSOs, urge Gov’t, stakeholders

By: Femi Mustapha

In continuation of global
Community to commemorate 2022 International Disability Day, of  Persons With Disabilities (PWDs), Civil Society Organizations  in Kaduna state has called on Government and stakeholders to show empathy and not sympathy, to this group of Nigerians to enable them contribute to the development of the state.

The CSOs asserted this during a policy dialogue on International Day of Persons with Disabilities, (IDPD) 2022 held in Kaduna yesterday.

The objectives of the dialogue are to promote the rights of Persons with Disability, (PWDs) through dialogue with key stakeholders and political leaders; to identify transformative solutions for Inclusive development and provide innovative strategies to address exclusion of PWDs at all levels.

Others include; engaging political candidates for inclusive social protection as a tool for ending multidimensional poverty; and to present the communique developed by the PWDs to the political candidates for their commitment and the media for dissemination.

Speaking earlier, Mrs. Hannatu Ahuwan of Legal Awareness for Nigerian Women, (LANW), frowned at the continued discrimination and stigmatization of PWDs members asking the government to always involve them in its economic and developmental plans.

Similarly, Mr. Abel Adejo, of Partnership to Engage, Learn and Reform, (PERL), said all hands must be on deck to ensure that persons with disabilities are given the space they belong to; warning that people who are able today could easily become disabled tomorrow.

Also, David Gabriel of Christian Aid, opined that the PWDs has ability in disability, hence Government and stakeholders should encourage them to get to the top of their abilities by removing every hindrance.

Gabriel, who represented the Acting Senior Programme Coordinator, Disaster Risk Reduction and Peace building of Christian Aid, Tabat Baba, called on the Government to ensure that PWDs are encouraged to participate fully in the 2023 General Elections by making the voting process easier for them.

In his welcome address,  Mr. Abubakar Adama the vice Chairman, JONAPWD Kaduna State chapter, who spoke on behalf of the chairman,  said it is time for proper representation of the PWDs in all ramifications of life.

Speaking during a panel discussion, Focal Person, Kaduna Social Investment Office (KADSIO), Madam Saude Amina Atoyebi, said the state government has put in place machineries that  will ensure the PWDs will continue to  benefit from all social protection  projects in the state

Madam Atoyebi  represented by Rebecca Maulome Padonu, Special Assistant  to Governor Nasir El Rufai  on Social  Investment Programmes  added that in areas of scholarship award health insurance and others the PWDs is paramount to the state government

She, however advice JONAPWD Kaduna State chapter, to look into the possibility of establishing   a Coperating Society for its  members and the state will key into such projects.

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