It is critical to acknowledge women with disabilities suffer untold assault especially from fake friends and suitors who manipulate, use and dump them. Many women with disabilities also suffer in silence different spousal abuses which can be traced to self-esteem and lack of requisite empowerment which can make them be independent.

Beyond this, the disability board, established by Executive order in the state, is not functioning. Many of its essential protocols, demands are being ignored. While there have been efforts to make the state one of the best disability-friendly in the south west region, it is clear the Executive order which established initial Disability Agency and the enacted Disability bill, which should have superseded the executive order of former Governor, Dr Fayemi, continues to work at a counter purpose. Disability community itself needs to wake up to the realities of the day. The awareness level of Persons with disabilities rights and agency are yet to become pronounced hence many persons with disabilities in the state continue to suffer.

Mr Abanise, Senior Speacial Assistant to the Governor, Ekiti State on Disability Matters

The above and many others were some of the concerns raised at Ekiti State PWDs Stakeholders Policy Dialogue organized by the centre and held on February 7, 2024 at SSG Building, Governor’s office in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti state.

Mrs Mary Oso-Omotosho, Director General, Ekiti State Bureau of Community Communications Unit

The policy stakeholder dialogue brought together strategic state and non-state actors within the PWDs and Inclusion in Ekiti state together. The event which was conducted in a panel session format had Senior Special Assistant on Disability matters to the state Governor, Mr Abanise, Director General of Ekiti state’s Bureau of Community Communications, Mrs Mary Oso-Omotosho as Special guests of honour who also contributed to the conversation.

The panellists for the day were, Mrs Adetoun Agboola. Special Assistant to the Governor on Special education and Social inclusion, Mr Ojo Peters, former State chairman of Joint Association of Persons with Disabilities(JONAPWD) in Ekiti state, Mrs Ogunkuade, Women leader, JONAPWD Ekiti state, Funso Benjamin, Executive director DINABI who also doubles as Secretary-General, Ekiti state JONAPWD as well as Mr Owolabi, JONAPWD Ekiti state Chairman. Here are some of the points raised.

Panellists of the session

some salient points made:

To also involve the Security Agency in the dialogue, DSC Yemisi Adejuwon, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, PWDs desk Officer was also present to share her views and update on curbing abuses of PWDs within the state.

Key Recommendations

1.   There is need for an urgent review of the Disability bill in Ekiti State as the dichotomy between the bill being passed by executive order and that of the Acts of parliament has hindered the smooth functioning of Ekiti state Disability Agency which is an ad hoc agency. The PWD community must be actively involved in the review.

2.   Advocacy will go a long way in awareness with the PWD community and for public awareness changing negative public Opinion, discrimination and negative stereotypes and misinformation about PWD in Ekiti State especially the Disability Bill.

3.   Women with Disability (WWD) in Ekiti state needs more Women Empowerment programs especially in the grassroot as they have become victims of sexual exploitation and cyber violence due to unemployment and the desperation to get married as a means of survival.

4.   PWD must not be limited to not be limited to disability issues but must be projected beyond disability and showcase their untapped resources using them as experts and resource persons.

5.   Funding and finance is a major challenge to inclusion in Ekiti State, thus funding and budgetary allocation for Disability inclusion must be increased.

6.   There must be synergy and collaboration between Government, civil societies and the PWD for achievement of an Inclusive State.

7.   There is need for strategic positioning of PWDs various decision making organs, corporation and government establishment as PWDs Occupying decision making position will fast-track inclusivity thus It is important for the PWD community to be intentional and strategically positioned.

8.   Disability board and its members in the state must become active instead of being a part time position.

DSc Adejuwon making her points 

some of the event’s participants

The event had about 28 strategic stakeholders in attendance