International Women’s Day: better opportunities for women, children and adolescents with disabilities

As Nigeria marks the International Women’s day, the World Health Organization’s Global Health Ambassador, Mrs Toyin Saraki, has advised women to always vote for leaders who will not relegate their aspirations.

Speaking during a virtual meeting, Mrs Saraki said no society can advance progressively without the contributions of women in policy making and implementation.
According to her, despite enormous contributions to the society and Africa, women were still marginalized and deprived participation in governance.

“There is inequality actually, we see a glass wall put in front of the woman, it is time for us to re look at the ways we engage war for gender inequality. We are going to exercise our voting rights, it’s time we begin to ask our electorates questions before we vote them, such as “how do you feel about gender equality, opportunity for all, including the disabled, children, adolescents and women” she said.

Mrs Saraki, stressed the need to address the anomalies associated with gender inequality and promote policies that would enable African women realize their potential for nation building.

She decried the disparity against Persons with Disabilities especially women and girls as they are the most hit.
“We need to recognize that African culture hides disability, and so access to available basic needs becomes a problem, I wouldn’t want us to stigmatize PWDs who are not speaking out, because, they do not have requisite knowledge on how to access help or Empowerment programs.”

While noting that women and girls with Disabilities were often excluded in policy making due to their gender, Mrs Saraki, said this could be addressed when there is a comprehensive data to support evidence based programmes.

“Girls and Women with Disabilities are facing serious challenge, due to lack of inclusion, negative attitude of family members, the community, lack of Developmental Programs and access to health facilities, education and housing” she said.

The WHO ambassador called on African Countries and policy makers to develop a system support, that provides a better platform for engagement with PWDs, to grant them more access to basic facilities in the country.

Listen to the radio interview

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This article was originally published on Nigeria Radio Abuja.