Mimijane Foundation for Women and Children with Disabilities paid a formal visit to Hon. Dr. Bashiru Dawodu, Chairman of the House Committee on Persons with Disabilities, for the presentation of position papers on gender inclusion in the proposed amendment of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018. This advocacy aligns with the foundation’s ongoing project of promoting access and inclusion for Women and Girls with disabilities, supported by Urgent Action Fund.
The position papers submitted by the Mimijane Foundation highlight the importance of integrating gender-specific provisions into the Disability Act, addressing the unique challenges faced by Women and Girls with disabilities in Nigeria. The Chairman, Hon. Dr. Dawodu, commended the efforts of the foundation and made several recommendations to strengthen the cause, while also acknowledging the significant support from the Urgent Action Fund in enabling this advocacy initiative.
The Mimijane Foundation presented a comprehensive memo titled “Legislative Mechanisms for the Domestication and Implementation of the Disability Act in Nigeria” to the National Assembly Committee on Disability Matters. Below are the core arguments and recommendations proposed:
- Gender-Specific Inclusion:
The memo emphasized the critical need for gender-specific provisions within the Disability Act to ensure equitable access for Women and Girls with disabilities in various sectors including public infrastructure, healthcare, education, and justice.
- Access to Healthcare and Inclusive Education:
Ensuring access to healthcare facilities by incorporating universal design principles, including provisions for reproductive health services, accessible medical equipment, and specialized support for Women and Girls with disabilities. Making Education accessible by enforcing inclusive practices, specialized transportation, assistive learning tools, and compulsory Education for Girls with disabilities.
- Legal Support for Survivors of Gender-Based Violence:
The proposal also urged the government to establish specialized legal services for Women and Girls with disabilities who are survivors of sexual, gender and disability-based violence, ensuring they have access to trauma-informed care and an accessible justice system.
The position papers were well-received by Hon. Dr. Dawodu, who expressed appreciation for the efforts put forth by Mimijane Foundation and noted that the proposed amendments would be reviewed with urgency. He also underscored the pivotal role of organizations like Mimijane Foundation in promoting disability rights and thanked the Urgent Action Fund for their vital financial support, which has strengthened advocacy for the inclusion of gender components in the disability legislation.
