By Chinedum Treasure
The Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), Anambra State Chapter, has urged disability leaders to challenge harmful beliefs that expose persons with disabilities (PWDs) to abuse and exploitation.
State Chairman of JONAPWD, Comrade Okeke Ugochukwu Ernest, made the call in Awka during a Dialogue of Leaders with Disabilities on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Prevention.
The dialogue, themed “From Complaint to Deliberate Action — Redefining Disability Inclusion for Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Community Protection,” was supported by ActionAid.
Okeke said PWDs must be empowered with information about their rights, while survivors should be encouraged to report abuse without shame or fear.
“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.
He called for stronger collaboration among the Anambra State Government, Disability Rights Commission, security agencies, health institutions, justice actors, civil society organisations, traditional and religious leaders, development partners and the media.
Okeke stressed that disability inclusion must be deliberately incorporated into GBV prevention programmes, budgeting, awareness campaigns, reporting mechanisms and referral systems.
Also speaking, Muslim Co-Chairman on GBV in Anambra, Alhaji Sheriff Olanrewaju, said women and girls with disabilities face a significantly higher risk of GBV because of dependence on caregivers, mobility challenges and communication barriers.
He called on government to investigate and regulate traditional practitioners linked to abuse and stressed the need for sign language to enable deaf persons to access justice.
The Acting Head of the Anambra State Disability Rights Commission, Mrs Jane Ajaegbu, and ActionAid Focal Person, Mrs Perpetual Nwakelundu, pledged stronger collaboration with JONAPWD.
The dialogue attracted government officials, civil society organisations, religious leaders, security agencies and JONAPWD coordinators from the 21 local government areas.
A major outcome of the event was the adoption of action plans by LGA coordinators and cluster leaders to prevent, protect, report, refer, follow up and demand accountability in cases of GBV involving persons with disabilities.
The leaders pledged to ensure that disability is never used as a justification for violence, exploitation or exclusion in Anambra State.
Tags: JONAPWD, Disability Rights, Gender-Based Violence, Anambra State, ActionAid
