By Lizzy Carr
The UNited Nations Fund for Population UNFPA in collaboration with a non governmental organization Al muhibbah Foundation and the office of the Bauchi State first lady has trained and empowered 300 persons with disabilities in the sales of local beverages,grain trade,food vendor, cosmetology and shoe making among others.
The event was took place at the Rilwanu Suleiman Adamu Arena Bauchi government house was in commemoration of this year’s International Day for persons with disabilities.
UNFPA Executive Director Dr Natalia Kanem whose message was presented by the Gender and Reproductive Health Analyst Deborah Tabara said 1 in every 6 people lives with a disability and they remain solely under represented throughout the world’s parliament and halls of power.
“They are excluded from issues that affect their lives, as a result their rights and choices are too often denied. The discrimination and social stigma PWD face is compounded by inequality tied to gender and other factors, such as age and ethnicity”.
She noted that their vulnerabilities are even more acute in humanitarian crisis as they readily lose access to life saving support systems and struggle to get out of harms way.
“Women and girls face higher rated of gender -based violence and lower levels of access to reproductive health information, more than half of them have been told not to have a child and this undermines their right to bodily autonomy and to make their own decisions about whether to form a family “.
Dr Natalia Kanem added that UNFPA programs has expands access to reproductive health and rights services and information tailored to women and young persons with disabilities.
” We work with them to deliver inclusive dignity and rights and help challenge ingrained attitudes about what disability is “.
These efforts she State are all part of UNFPA wider disability inclusion strategy which promotes the human rights of PED in areas of their lives and addresses systemic barriers they face.
” On this International Day for PWD let us join for Ed in making it easier for PEDs to share their experiences and knowledge to influence decisions that impact their lives “.
UNFPA she added is committed to leaving no one behind and ensuring everyone counts.
“As we undertake this skills development and empowerment program for 300 beneficiaries, we encourage them to dedicate their time in income generation, growing their petty trades until it becomes established to ensure their economic empowerment and freedom from poverty and it’s protracted outcomes which makes them vulnerable to GBV, affect their capacity to access SRH information and services”.
UNFPA then commended Bauchi State government for ensuring a continuously strengthened enabling environment for the partnership with the organization to thrive to ensure a positive developmental outcome for women and young girls with disabilities.
She acknowledged the support from the first lady in the training and empowering of these PWDs.
Bauchi State first lady Hajiya Aisha Bala Mohammed said the gathering is to celebrate the International Day for PWDs and to remind ourselves of the strength, potential, and limitless possibilities of every individual, regardless of his ability.
“This year’s theme, Empowering Disability Inclusion,” aligns perfectly with our mission to build a society where everyone, irrespective of challenges, has access to equal opportunities.”
The First Lady added that the partnership with UNFPA and Al Muhibbah Foundation has made it possible to empower 300 persons with disabilities.
“As we leave here today, let us carry forward the spirit of inclusion, advocacy, and action.Together, we can create a world where barriers crumble, and every person is empowered to shine.”
The commemoration was under the theme heeding the voices of persons with disabilities for the benefit of all. (www.krestnews.com).