Gender Specialist calls for inclusion of PWDs in govt, private sectors programme
The State to State activity Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI), Specialist Gombe State Mrs Mercy Filli has called on government and private sectors to include women and people with disabilities PWDs in their programming.
Filli made the call in an interview with Periscope Nigeria said these group of people who are the most vulnerable especially during conflicts are most often forgotten hence the awareness creation by State to State on the importance of integrating them in programs.
“There is need to be sensitive and responsive to their needs ,that is, taking into cognizant action of their needs, “Filli added.
She said gender equality and social inclusion is important because it accounts for participation of both males , females ,people with disabilities in helm of affairs.
The GESI Specialist urged Ministries Departments and Agencies MDAs in Gombe to imbibe the culture of social inclusion in the discharge of their day to day activities adding that it starts with planing stage.
She said in mitigating conflict at communities level, attention is Mostly given to traditional and religious leader,men and women some times but that in most cases PWDs are excluded.
Filli said, ” it is advised that PWDs be integrated so that the process will be all inclusive living no one behind in processes. Most of them cannot run for safety during clashes hence becoming victims.”
She called on government of Gombe state to pass the Disability Bill into law and create a disability commission.
“Through that bill there is going to be a kind of compliance to PWD policy issues in MDAs ”
At Civil Society Organisations CSOs level the specialist noted, they should create awareness on the inclusion of PWDs by making public and private structures friendly for them to use.
“For instance in the mosque, a place can be provided for them to access water systems to perform abulusion with ease ramps be provided also for them to gain entrance to places. In churches assistive devices such as sign language interpreter production of Bible in braille would help them in comprehension and study’.
On her part, Aishatu Salisu, a PWD with hearing impairment who spoke to our correspondent through an interpreter said they are mostly discriminated in the society and that government do not include them in activities especially employment opportunities.
She called on government to provide employment for PWDs as this would reduce rate of begging in the state
Aishatu also called on government to employ sign language interpreters in hospitals and higher institutions so that that those with hearing impairment will also access services with ease.
There are no sign language interpreters in hospitals so, we with hearing disability find it hard to relate in public places especially the hospital.
Aisha who is currently a four hundred level student of accounting at the Gombe state university said she read hand outs to pass her exams and tests.
She said, ” it is not easy for me comprehending especially mathematics and statistics courses because there is no sign Language interpreter.”
Also speaking, Munirah Ibrahim Saleh who uses a crutch lamented on how structures are erected without ramps for peoples with walking disability to gain access.
“Toilets in the hospitals are not friendly to us ,some us crawl there by exposing us to infections.
“Even in politics we are mostly excluded we are mostly not involved because people think we have one impairment or the other,” Munirah added.
She called for the inclusion of PWDs in activities and structures be PWD friendly for all to access services.
