by Yusuf Mohammebd Lawan, Gombe
16th April, 2025
Driven by renewed passion and commitment to promoting water sanitation and accessibility among persons with disabilities in Borno State, Sound Abilities for Vulnerable Women Initiative (SAVWIN), a foremost women- led Non-Governmental Organization that focuses on educating and empowering disabled women, girls and children, as well as catering to the aged (elderly) through advocacy, training and action, recently paid an advocacy visit to the headquarters of Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASA) Borno State chapter to seek for an extended synergy with the RUWASA management to promote water sanitation and accessibility to PWDs - specifically women and girls with disabilities and other vulnerable groups in Borno State.
The advocacy, Ability News Network reports, underscores the SAVWIN's gagatuan efforts and passion towards removing barriers that limit the full participation of women, girls and children with disabilities in their immediate communities and also advocating for disability-inclusive climate change disaster management intervention in Borno State where the voices of women and girls with disabilities would be assimilated.
Earlier speaking during the advocacy, the SAVWIN's Executive Director, Ms.Miyausa Wayuta profoundly appreciated the General Manager of RUWASA Borno State chapter Engr. Dr. Mohammed Musa Aliyu, for the warm, gracious reception accorded to her team and the opportunity given to her to engage freely with RUWASA which, is a vital institution dedicated to ensuring rural water supply and sanitation infrastructure in Borno State.
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| SAVWIN's E D Ms. Wayuta delivering her speech the advocacy while the RUWASA's GM Mr. Mohammed Musa Aliyu listen with rapt attention |
"Water is life" noted the SAVWIN's top notch Director, "however, for many women with disabilities, accessing clean water and sanitation remains a daily struggle due to physical barriers, distance, and social exclusion" she lamented.
She adds; "as we address climate-induced water challenges, including droughts and flooding. We must ensure that no woman with disability is left behind in the provision of safe and accessible water"
The SAVWIN's advocacy is guided by key global national commitments including the following; Convention on the Right of the Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), Article 6, which recognizes the unique challenges faced by women with disabilities and Article 11, which mandates the protection and safety of persons with disabilities in situations of risk and humanitarian emergencies, the United Nations sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) particularly Goal 5 (Gender Equality) and Goal 13 (Climate action), which emphasize inclusive participation and urgent action on climate change, as well as the Nigeria climate change Act, which seeks to strengthen the country’s response to climate-related challenges.
The project according to Ms. Wayuta, seeks to bridge the gaps in disaster response and ensure that women with disabilities are not just beneficiaries but active contributors to climate change policies and interventions.
She also urged RUWASA policy makers and stakeholders to join SAVWIN in making disability inclusion a priority in WASH programs, together they can build a Borno State where every woman regardless of ability has access to safe and clean water.
While recognizing the RUWASA’s pivotal role in ensuring water security and sanitation across Borno State, and RUWASA's leading role in the water sanitation and hygiene (WASH), programs, SAVWIN seeks collaboration in the following areas: ensuring access to safe water for women with disabilities before and during climate disaster in Borno State especially those who lives in the slum areas have access to clean water, promoting inclusive sanitation and hygiene facilities in Borno State where ramps, extended handrails, taps are easier to open by the women with disabilities, accessible passage where there are wash facilities when providing WASH services , encouraging participation of persons with disabilities in all decision making processes, designing and building WASH facilities according to the principles of universal design, ensuring the construction of accessible water and sanitation facilities in rural and conflict affected communities, integrating the climate Action Network for women with Disabilities in RUWAS’s climate-resilient water management programs as well as developing joint programs to educate water and sanitation service providers on the needs of women with disabilities among others.
Responding, the General Manager of RUWASA, Mr. Mohammed Musa Aliyu, appreciated the SAVWIN contingents for coming to identify with the Agency, he noted that this is the first time an organization such as this is visiting the agency, he lauded the organization for coming up with such project to Borno State, he assured the team that the agency's door is open any time he is called upon he will answer.
The RUWASA's General Manager further informed his visitors that most of the things the Executive Director mentioned he noted them and will act accordingly and see how he can incorporate some into the agency's work plan.
He adds: "the agency is already implementing some project that includes women with disability, some of these are; Livelihood, education, health, project management, training of women into fish farming, support schools including girls with disabilities, support widows with finger leans, these are some of the project the agency has undertaking under his leadership and more are coming"
While wishing the team successful outing, the General Manager assured the team of his agency's continued support to achieve the aim of the project, stressing that whenever SAVWIN is organizing any program and needs him to attend his doors are always opened.
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