Ability News Network (ANN): INTERVIEW: I am Passionate About Creating Innclusive Opportunities for Deaf Women and Girls in South East Zone -- Mrs Maria Chidimma Alufo-Ekpo

by Yusuf Mohammed Lawan, Gombe

13th August, 2025

Mrs Maria Chidimma Alufo-Ekpo, the current South East Deaf Women Association (SEDWA) Zonal Women Leader, in this interview with ABILITY NEWS NETWORK (ANN) CEO, YUSUF MOHAMMED LAWAN, shares groundbreaking insights about the just concluded first-ever South East Deaf Women Confrence, a four day in-house get together engagement that brings together who is who in the South East women angle, she spoke on how she is utilizing her office to leveraging on every exciting opportunity at her disposal to navigate the increasing demands for empowering Deaf women, promoting their rights in the society, training and retraining Deaf women and youth for leadership role and how the conference outcome is expected to make a revolutionising impact on the development of Deaf women and girls in the zone. Except!

ANN: What inspired the initiation of South East Deaf Women Confrence and what drives the passion for this work?

Mrs. Alufo-Ekpo: The conference was initiated to empower deaf women, promote their rights, and provide a platform for them to share their experiences and challenges. My passion stems from a desire to create inclusive opportunities for Deaf women and girls, believing they can achieve anything given the opportunity.

ANN; How do you define the Conference or what precisely is the motives, goals priorities the conference aims to achieve?

Mrs. Alufo-Ekpo: The conference aims to promote leadership, advocacy, employment and empowerment of deaf women while raising awareness about their rights and challenges and providing solutions.

Abambra State Delegates

Abia State Delegates

ANN; Would you say you have actually achieve the stated objectives of the conference?

Mrs. Alufo-Ekpo: We've made significant progress in achieving our objectives, but there's still work to be done. The South East Deaf Women conference has provided a valuable platform for deaf women to connect, share, learn, and relearn.

Imo State Delegates participating at the conference

ANN; As a leader in the disability community, what do you believe are the most pressing issues facing Deaf women and girls today, and how is your organization addressing them?

Mrs. Alufo-Ekpo: Deaf women and girls face challenges like limited access to education, healthcare, inadequate sign language interpretation service and economic opportunities challenge. Our organization addresses these issues through several advocacy to different government offices and agencies, training, and support programs.

ANN: What strategies have been most effective that lead to the successful conduction of the conference, or was there any strategy deployed to make the conference better but you faced challenge on it?

Mrs. Alufo-Ekpo: Effective strategies included partnerships with key stakeholders, engaging experienced speakers, and providing opportunities for networking and skill-building. We faced challenges in securing funding but are working to overcome these.

Enugu State Delegates displaying great skills in cultural dance during the conference

ANN: Any coalitions and partnerships with other organizations to amplify your impact, who where the partners?

Mrs. Alufo-Ekpo: We partnered and collaborated with various organizations and stakeholders to amplify our impact and provide valuable resources and expertise, greatly contributing to the conference's success.

ANN; Today's world is focusing on youths and women empowerment. How does the South East Deaf Women and girls are empowered, particularly those from marginalized communities?

Mr. Alufo - Ekpo :We empower Deaf women and girls through training, mentorship, and advocacy programs focusing on leadership, entrepreneurship, and self-advocacy.

Anambra State Delegates

ANN: Apart from the South East Deaf Women Conference, What other programs or initiatives where you able to organize/ implement to promote women's leadership and empowerment in South East zone?

Mrs. Alufo-Ekpo: Apart from the South East Deaf Women conference, we've organized several programs, including: Girl Child Day with deaf girls students across the five states in the South East with education materials and pads the girls, training on Gender-Based Violence against Deaf Women and Girls,I InternationalWomen's Day ceremony in collaboration with another organization, which included health talks on Sexual Reproductive Health Rights and health testingn, engaging participants in decision-making processes alongside other stakeholders, signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with relevant parties to further our goals, collaborationwith other organizations to advance the rights and empowerment of deaf women and girls and among many others