HRD Day: Be Sensitive To PWDs, Women – Participants urge Public, Private Sectors
Participants at a breakfast meeting to commemorate the International Women Human Rights Defenders day have called on both public and private sectors to be Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) and Women sensitive in its activities.
The breakfast meeting was organised by the USAID Nigeria State Accountability, Transparency and Effectiveness State to State Activity at the flourish Hotel, Gombe.
The participants which included the Civil Society Organisations, CSOs, Academia , Faith-based organisations, Persons living With Disabilities (PWDs) and top Civil Servants also called for the passage of disability bill in Gombe State.
They also recommended for construction of public structures such as schools, hospitals, offices, water taps to be PWD friendly,and provision of creches at offices for nursing mothers to be ease at work.
The stakeholders advised for synergy amongst CSOs so they can speak with one voice be to table their concerns to authorities concerned.
Other issues raised by the academia is having a disability centre at tertiary institutions that would meet the different needs of PWDs and sustainability plans to ensure it adds value to the community.
Speaking Earlier, the Gombe State to State Gender and Social Inclusion GESI Specialist Mrs Mercy Filli, said the meeting was to bring stakeholders together for meaningful engagement to discuss on challenges of women, girls and PWDs and proscribe solutions to the issues.
She said issues faced by this segment of the society included sexual harassment, bullying and insecurity.
Mrs Filli said Gombe State appeared on the hall map of sexual violence reported and unreported cases hence the need to address the trend.
“And we do not have sexual and assault referal centres where survivors can run to for help women and girls do not have safe space to meet with a counselor for support,”Fiilli added.
She said the meeting is one among three held to mark the sixteen days activism against gender based violence.
The GESI said the meeting would discuss GBV issues and to discuss how best to create enabling environment for PWDs,Women and Girls.
“We need a gender responsive budget, inclusion of women and PWDs in governance and budget processes and passage of Gender inclusion bill and the disability bill to protect the people concerned and give them sense of belonging,” According to Filli.
She however commended the State Government for creating budget line for GESI and the inclusion of women in it activities.
She disclosed that state to state activity is a USAID governance activity that is deliberate about integrating GESI issues in governance, building and strengthening their capacities and systems to that effect.
