The advocacy for disability inclusion gathered momentum in Kwara State as Voice of Disability Initiative (VDI) in collaboration with the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD Kwara State Chapter) organized a 2-day capacity building workshop for SRH/Disability Rights Advocates in Kwara State from 8th to 9th May, 2024 at De Peace Heaven Hotel, Ilorin, Kwara State. Aside from the 30 SRH/Disability Rights Advocates that participated in the workshop, the event was also graced by high profile individuals in Kwara State including the Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Azubuike; Hon. Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Hajia Sa’adatu Modibbo-Kawu; Special Assistant to the Kwara State Governor on Education, Dr. Adetola Ariyike Salau; representative of the Hon. Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Balogun F. F; Perm Sec., Ministry of Social Development, Hon. Peter Ayanwale; O/C Gender (Nigerian Police), Lerawon Alice O.
The capacity building workshop for SRH/Disability Rights Advocates is part of the activities under the 2-Year SRHR project being funded by AMPLIFYCHANGE in Kwara, Enugu and Ebonyi States. Addressing stakeholders in Kwara State, the Executive Director of VDI, Barr. Catherine Edeh commended the Kwara State Government for providing the framework for protection of rights of Persons with Disabilities through the enactment of Disability Rights Law in 2017. She however, lamented the absence of a Disability Commission in Kwara State and therefore called on the Executive Governor of Kwara State, Mallam AbdulRahmam AbdulRazaq, CON, to as matter of urgency:
(i) Facilitate the establishment of Disability Commission to be domiciled directly under the Governor to oversee the affairs of persons with Disabilities in Kwara State; and
(ii) Set up Disability Support Desks and engage Sign Language Interpreters in government healthcare facilities to enable access to healthcare services for persons with disabilities especially the Deaf, Blind, Women with Albinism and the Physically Challenged in Kwara State.
