Towards An Inclusive Climate Response Action : SAVWIN Visits Borno JONAPWD, Seeks Stronger Collaboration to Promote Disability Inclusion in Disaster Response Approach

by Yusuf Mohammed Lawan, Gombe

6th March, 2025

Sound Abilities for Vulnerable Women Initiative Nigeria (SAVWIN), a foremost  women-led, disability inclusion-focused organization as part of its continual campaign and commitment towards advocating for Climate Justice and Inclusion for Women and Girls with Disabilities and other PWDs grpups  in disaster response intervention action in Nigeria recently took its advocacy campaign to the headquarters of Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), Borno State chapter. 

The advocacy visit to JONAPWD office, Ability News Network reports, was  led by the Executive Director of Sound Abilities for Vulnerable Women Initiative Nigeria (SAVWIN) Ms. Miyausa Wayuta in  company of her SAVWIN team and were warmly  received by the Chairman of Borno State JONAPWD chapter, Mal. Ahmadu Umar accompanied by one of the  Coordinators of the association, Mal. Mohammed Mustapha.

Earlier in her remarks, the SAVWIN Executive Director stated the reason of her team visit as pivotal, stressing that the objective of her team's calls on the Borno JONAPWD was essentially to furnish the  JONAPWD community on a sensitive project she and her team are embarking upon titled “Advocating for Climate Justice and Inclusion for Women and Girls with Disabilities.” in Borno state.

She expressed optimism that JONAPWD would support the process and participate actively. Emphasizing that "the  project seeks to bridge the gaps in disaster response and ensure that women with disabilities are not just beneficiaries but active contributors to mitigate climate change and improve policies and interventions"

"To achieve  these goals" Wayuta noted,  the support and collaboration  of Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities Borno State chapter would be necessary"

The SAVWIN Executive Director further stated  "that the adverse effect of climate change affects persons with disabilities, especially women, girls and children"

She added "this is exacerbated by lack of accurate and adequate information, resources and services coupled with poverty"

 Citing the insideous effect lack of accurate information on climate change has on Women and Girls with Disabilities and other PWDs the SAVWIN Executive Director noted, "the resultant effect   is mobility challenges and non-participation in decision-making leading to neglect. It can be noted that, lack of inclusive and accessible policies exacerbates their situation leaving women and girls with disabilities with fewer opportunities to thrive, adapt or recover"

 The Executive Director also said "that insufficient economic resources is a major factor that increases women’s vulnerability to climate change, emphasizing that  "In reality a handful of women with disabilities have  some source of income, they are underemployed. This situation limits their abilities to prepare for and or respond effectively to climate disasters" she lamented. 

Baring her mind on the issues of policy formulation, implementation and evaluation, the Executive Director expressed her dissatisfaction for having little to none participation of persons with disabilities on decision making on climate change.

  Her words, "when these policies and laws are made, persons with disabilities should  be part of the processes. That would give them the opportunities to speak out how they  are affected"

 According to her,  "It is important that the  voices of persons with disabilities with particular attention to the women and girls are heard and their experience valued to ensure equity and diversity"

Earlier in his swipt response,  the Borno State Chairman of JONAPWD Mal. Ahmadu Umar, expressed immense gratittude to the SAVWIN team for finding his office worthy for the objective visit. He assured the team that JONAPWD  door is open at any time they are called upon, they will be willing to assist in any capacity to ensure a successful project implementation.

He praised the  SAVWIN team for coming up with such worthwhile initiative which according to him could  chart a new course for the vulnerable women and girls with disabilities and  has far-reaching  direct bearings on the lives of PWDs community  in Borno state, he reassured the visitors that they should feel at home, as the JONAPWD also shared the same view”

Finally the JONAPWD top leader  prayed that the Almighty would grant the team safety throughout the period of the project implementation in Borno state.