by Yusuf Mohammed Lawan, Gombe
19th March, 3025
A significant sustained move to facilitate the full integration, inclusion and mainstreaming of Women and girls with disabilities in the wider society in particular, and ensure their active participation in the ensuing climate response action has been carried out recently by the leadership of Sound Abilities for Vulnerable Women Initiative Nigeria (SAVWIN) in Maiduguri, Borno State capital.
The advocacy which is geared towards eradicating all forms of societal barriers meted to PWDs specifically women and girls with disabilities in Borno State convened by the SAVWIN also seeks to promote the inclusion and active participation of women specifically women with disabilities in order to raise their voices in the global climate response policies and action.
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According to the group, this will foster gender inclusive climate action and give women with disabilities a sense of belonging in the process.
Speaking during the formal advocacy visit to the Hon. Commusioner Ministry of Women Affairs, the program Officer of SAVWIN Mr. Daniel Hosea identified the ministry as a critical stakeholder and workable partner to work with in order to achieve the objective of the project. He emphasized the critical role the Ministry of Women affairs is doing to promote the particpation and inclusion of women in all aspects of societal life.
"We were at the ministry to identify with the Commissioner of Women Affairs and Social Development, and also to seek her blessings, advice and direction as a stake holder for this project and a ministry that cater for the needs of women"
The SAVWIN Program Officer also expressed immense commendation to the Ministry of Women Affairs for its commitment to protecting the rights and welfare of women and girls particularly those with disabilities in Borno State. Stressing the urgent need for workable collaboration between the two groups to achieve the lofty objective of the project.
He added "the advocacy visit underscores the urgent need for gender inclusive climate action that prioritizes the needs of women and girls with disabilities in policy development, economic empowerment, and disaster resilience strategy"
According to him, "the organization is passionate about removing barriers that limit the full participation of women with disabilities in the process"
Highlighting the very essential objectives of SAVWIN's advocacy visist to Borno State Ministry of Women Affairs headquarters, the SAVWIN's Program Officer listed the following as the basis for the advocacy;
Policy development and Gender –inclusive climate Action
The ministry plays a pivotal role in formulating policies that upholds the rights of women and girls, including those with disabilities they therefore seek to collaborate with the ministry to ensure that gender- responsive climate policies explicitly integrate their needs and priorities into state action plans. Women with disabilities are disproportionately affected by climate change, and their voice must be included in decision-making process
Advocacy for Women’s Rights and Social Inclusion:
The Women Affairs Ministry is a key advocate for gender equality and social inclusion. By joining forces, it will strengthen the advocacy for disability-inclusive climate justice policies through the ministry’s influence on law makers, policy makers, and development partners, and collectively ensure that women with disabilities are prioritized in climate adaptation, disaster management and resilience programs
Economic Empowerment and Capacity Building:
Climate change exacerbates economic disparities, disproportionately affecting women and girls with disabilities who already face limited access to opportunities. The ministry’s role in facilitating training, skills development and economic empowerment is crucial. The proposed partnership expands climates-smart agriculture initiatives, green jobs, and livelihood programs to include women with disabilities, fostering their financial independence and resilience against climate change.
Coordination with other Ministries and Agencies:
Addressing climate change requires a multi-sectorial approach. The Ministry of Women’s Affairs in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Agriculture and Humanitarian organizations will champion cross-sectorial partnerships. Such collaborations will ensure inclusive disaster preparedness, social protection programs, and climate adaptation interventions that address the unique needs of women with disabilities.
Protection and support for climate Displaced Women with Disabilities:
Climate- induced displacement exposes women and girls with disabilities to heightened risks of exclusion, gender-based violence, and inadequate access to humanitarian assistance. The Ministry protective role is vital in advocating for inclusive emergency response mechanisms, safe housing and access to health and social services, SAVWING therefore urged the ministry to integrate disability-sensitive approaches in all climate disaster response policies.
Strengthening Data Collection and Evidence-Based Advocacy:
Effective climate justice must be grounded in accurate data. The ministry leadership in gender and disability-related data collection is invaluable in shaping inclusive policies. SAVWIN seek collaboration to ensure that disability-disaggregated data is integrated into climate vulnerability assessments, enabling targeted interventions that address the real needs of women and girls with disabilities.
Possible Areas of Collaborations:
Mainstreaming Disability-inclusive climate policies; integrate the concerns of women with disabilities into gender equality and women’s empowerment policies
Joint Advocacy Campaigns ; Amplify the voices of women with disabilities in climate justice discussions and policy forums
Economic Empowerment Initiatives; Partner to facilitate training programs in climate-smart agriculture and green enterprises for women with disabilities
Disability-Sensitive Climate Resilience Funding; Advocate for increase in allocation of State budget funds towards climate resilience programs that support women with disabilities
Enhance Coordination for Disaster Preparedness; Strengthen inter-agency collaboration to improve emergency response and disaster relief support tailored to the needs of women with disabilities.
Earlier in her remarks, the SAVWIN's Executive Director Ms. Miyausa Wayuta corroborated what Mr. Hosea stated, urging the ministry to stand strong and advocate for inclusive policies that promotes the rights and inclusion of Persons with disabilities, especially women and girls in Borno State.
She drew the attention of the Ministry towards the importance of Inclusive Education policy which should ensure all schools are accessible for students with special needs including women and girls.
Stressing the importance of accessible curriculum policy to accommodate the yearning educationsl needs of special needs studets including the Women and girls, Ms. Wayuta noted, " accessible curriculum policy is the policy that ensures the curriculum is accessible and adaptable for students with special needs" emphasizing that there is the urgent need for a policy that provides scholarships and financial support to women and Girls With Disabilities.
The SAVWIN's Executive Director also spoke on the urgent need for accessible workplaces for PWDs in the State. She lamented on how the work places are not accessible for persons with disabilities and pray the Ministry of Women Affairs would add it to her listed items to advocate for.
The SAVWIN's Executive Director further commented on the absymal lack of media representation for PWDs in Borno State, stressing that there must have a policy that will promote the representation of people with disabilities including women and girls, in media and advertising industry.
On the question of disability Inclusive decision making, Ms. Wayuta urged the ministry to initiate and implement a policy that ensures people with disabilities, including Women are involved in decision making processes that affects their lives.
She further emphasized the urgent need for initiating a new policy on reproductive health Service that will accommodate PWDs in Borno State, urging that such a policy will ensures women with disabilities have full access to reproductive health services, including family planning and maternal healthcare, stating that the ministry should develop programs and initiatives that cater to the specific needs of Women with Disabilities as well as protect women with Disabilities from violence and abuses.
Responding on behalf of the Hon. Commissioner for Women Affairs and social Development, Director of Women Affairs in the ministry Hajiya Falmata Gambo thanked the Executive Director and her team for the visit, she promised to convey the message to the Hon. Commissioner and looks forward for possible collaboration and partnership with SAVWIN. She urged the organization to identify with disability cluster and technical working committee of persons with disability which the organization already did, she also informed the organization on the need to register with Borno state ministry of women affairs and social development.
The advocacy, Ability News Network reports is the second in the spell of a month conducted by the SAVWIN in Borno State capital. The advocacy underscores the SAVWIN's total commitment to fostering inclusion and societal integration for Women and girls with disabilities and other PWDs in Borno State and beyond
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