In an effort to address the alarming rates of gender-based violence (GBV) faced by women and girls with disabilities (WGWDs) in Ekiti state, DINABI Nigeria, organized a two-day technical meeting on the development of a policy brief on GBV Coordinating mechanism and disability perspective in Ekiti State. The meeting, held on 26th and 27th of February, 2024, took place at the DINABI Mini-Conference room in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State.
Representatives from various civil society organizations leading the advocacy against GBV in Ekiti State, along with officials from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), gathered for the meeting. Additionally, women and girls with disabilities from the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities in Ekiti State (JONAPWD) were present.
The meeting which was aimed at developing the policy brief which would serve as an advocacy tool to protect the rights of Women and Girls With Disabilities (WGWDs) in the state to ensure their freedom from GBV, began with an opening remarks from the Executive Director of DINABI Nigeria, Mr. Olajide Funso who laid emphasis on the various plights and conditions women and girls with disabilities are subjected to in the society. In his words, he reiterated that the “justice system isn’t helping matters as more women and girls with disabilities continue to face various violation against their rights without being served or given access to justice”.
A popular Gender rights advocate, Barr. Rita Ilevbare reiterated that all hands must be on deck to stamp out the menace of all forms of violence against women and girls with disabilities who are being faced with various discrimination as a result of being a woman as well as being a woman with disabilities.
The two days meeting featured discussions on the various forms of abuse faced by WGWDs, barriers encounter by WGWDs when seeking support, reporting incidents, accessing justice, and obtaining healthcare and psychosocial support, as well as discussions on specific GBV cases faced by WGWDs and also identified potential advocacy targets. The meeting also featured a number of presentation from the attendees on the matter of discuss as they analyzed existing national and international legislations, identifying gaps that fail to address the needs of WGWDs.
In order to promote an effective advocacy, the two days technical meeting ended with the development of a draft policy brief on inclusive GBV response which also outline specific recommendations towards advancing the rights to justice for women and girls with disabilities as regards GBV related issues in Ekiti State.
The outcome of the meeting highlighted the urgent need for an inclusive GBV response mechanism and the inclusion of a person with disability in the state’s GBV Management Committee.
The NHRC Acting State Coordinator, Mr. Bayo Babalola and the NSCDC State Disability Desk Officer, Mrs. Yemisi Adejuwon highlighted the distressing challenges being faced by women and girls with disabilities. They jointly called for concerted efforts alongside other stakeholders to bring about meaningful change and ensure a safer and more inclusive society for women and girls with disabilities in Ekiti State and beyond.