From Isaac Ojo Awka
TAF Africa funded by the European Union on Tuesday embarked on media engagement workshop to ensure that people living with disabilities actively participate in the November 8 Anambra State governorship election.
The workshop has “Bridging media and the Disability community for inclusive participation in Anambra” as theme .
In his presentation, Senior Programme Officer, TAF Africa, George Anwayi explained the need for understanding disability and intersectionality in elections.
He also took an overview of Section 54 sub sections 1 and 2 of Electoral Act which, according to him, significantly make provisions for persons with disabilities
Anwayi disclosed that Subsection 1 is particularly intentional about making provision for assisted voting and the procedure for assistance open to the INEC.
He said that it is important that INEC take reasonable steps to ensure that PWDs participate in the election process with ease.
TAF Africa Senior Program Officer noted that democracy as government of the people, by the people and for the people cannot be said to be true if a section of the people is not carried along.
Anwayi stressed that toxic environment through negative attitude may not encourage the persons with disabilities from voting.
Lynn Agwuncha, TAF Africa’s Senior Communication Officer, stressed the need for inclusive program that will adequately take care of persons with disabilities.
Edetaen Ojo, Executive Director, Media Rights Agenda, Lagos presented paper on Reframing the media narrative on disability.
He said emphatically that Nigeria cannot afford to leave the thirty million people with disabilities behind in the scheme of things.
He called on the media to join efforts towards changing the negative stereotypes against PWDs.
