Kwara govt affirms commitment to disability rights
The Kwara State Ministry of Women Affairs has reaffirmed its commitment to championing the rights of individuals with disabilities by supporting the “Voice of Disability Initiative.”
This Non-Governmental Organisation is advocating for the establishment of the Kwara State Disability Commission, aimed at safeguarding the sexual and reproductive health of women with disabilities.
During a recent courtesy visit from the Voice of Disability Initiative team, Chief (Mrs) Opeyemi Oluwakemi Afolashade, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, emphasized the ministry’s pivotal role in advocating for people living with disabilities.
Represented by Hajia Idiat Alabi, Director of the Child Department, Afolashade stated, “The Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq-led administration has made significant efforts to enhance the welfare of persons living with disabilities, ensuring they are included in all government programs.”
Alabi highlighted various initiatives, including the Nutritional and Educational Support Palliative Programme, which specifically allocates resources for individuals with disabilities, and the renovation of the School for Special Needs in Ilorin. “Our focus is on creating opportunities and support for this vulnerable group,” she added.
Demonstrating the state government’s commitment, Alabi noted that the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Social Development, Mr. Peter Ayanwale, is a person living with a disability.
“In our Women Economic Empowerment (WEE) Policy Domestication Programme, we ensure that women living with disabilities are actively involved. The WEE Policy explicitly addresses the inclusion of all vulnerable groups,” she said.
Mr. Alhassan Mu’azu, Director of Planning, Research, and Statistics, encouraged the organisation to reach out to individuals in other Local Government Areas to extend the benefits of their initiatives.
Mr. Edward Ogiji, Team Lead of the Voice of Disability Initiative, expressed gratitude for the Ministry’s support, stating, “Our initiative is dedicated to advocating for the reproductive health of women and girls while strengthening the implementation of disability laws in the state. We believe it is essential to establish a dedicated agency to handle interventions for persons with disabilities.”
He reiterated, “While there is a department in the Ministry of Social Development, we seek an independent agency that can operate fully.
This requires the support of relevant stakeholders, including the Ministry of Women Affairs, the Ministry of Social Development, and the Kwara State House of Assembly.”
The collaboration between the Kwara State Ministry of Women Affairs and the Voice of Disability Initiative represents a crucial step toward improving the lives of individuals with disabilities, fostering a more inclusive society in Kwara State.
