In a groundbreaking dialogue held at the Emir's Palace in Ilorin on Saturday, December 7, 2024, community and religious leaders joined forces with disability advocates to champion the Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) of women and girls with disabilities and combat Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
The event, organized by the Voice of Disability Initiative (VDI) in collaboration with the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), Kwara State Chapter, attracted influential leaders from various sectors.
The meeting brought together representatives from the Emirate Council, General Overseers of prominent churches, the Christian Association of Nigeria (Kwara Chapter), Islamic councils, Catholic priests, women leaders, and traders' association leaders, alongside disability advocates and VDI team members.
The collective goal was to advance disability inclusion and advocate for the establishment of a Disability Rights Commission in Kwara State.
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| Barrister Catherine Edeh, Executive Director of VDI. |
"Community and religious leaders hold enormous power in shaping mindsets and influencing government decisions. Without their involvement, true societal change remains unattainable," emphasized Barrister Catherine Edeh, Executive Director of VDI.
During the visit, Comrade Yusuf Bashir, Chairman of JONAPWD Kwara, expressed gratitude to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq for appointing a person with a disability to his administration, promoting inclusivity and accessibility.
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| Comrade Yusuf Bashir, Chairman of JONAPWD Kwara. |
"We seek your support to advance inclusivity and improve accessibility for persons with disabilities," said Comrade Bashir.
In his remarks, Dr. OyelakinOgungbade highlighted the importance of inclusive education and employment opportunities. "Promoting positive attitudes towards persons with disabilities is essential to creating lasting change," he stated.
The Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, represented by Balogun Alanamu, Dr. Uthman Atolagbe-Jos, pledged his support for the initiative, vowing to work towards more inclusive and accessible environments. "We remain committed to supporting the rights of persons with disabilities in our communities," he affirmed.
The meeting marked a significant step forward in promoting disability rights in Kwara State, laying the groundwork for sustainable inclusion and protection for vulnerable populations.
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