PWD CoP Organizes a 2-Day Capacity Strengthening Program to Promote Disability Rights Advocacy in Nigeria

The Persons With Disabilities (PWD) Community of Practice (CoP) has called on individuals with disabilities in Nigeria to have a better understanding of disability issues and laws in the country, in order to effectively challenge violations of their rights. The call was made during a two-day Capacity Strengthening program organized by the Persons with Disabilities (PWD) Community of Practice ( CoP) and facilitated by CognitoNINE, with support from Voice.

During the first day of the program, Barr. Tracy Onabis, Program Officer of the Inclusive Friends Association IFA, made a presentation on the Discrimination against Persons With Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018. She highlighted the extent of the Act's implementation and identified the roles of different agencies in its enforcement. Barr. Tracy also pointed out that one of the major challenges facing the implementation of the Act is the ignorance of the provisions by persons with disabilities, which makes it difficult for them to demand their rights.

Favour Adjara, the leader of PWD COP, explained that the initiative aims to strengthen the relationship between organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs) and other Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) with similar interests, working in the same sector or thematic areas. She stated that the two-day program was a learning and sharing (Link&Learn) session that was targeted at stakeholders (duty bearers) and rightsholders (PWDs) organizations.

Aver Akighir, Executive Director of Hope Alive Possibilities Initiative (HAPI), commended the Capacity Strengthening meeting facilitated by Cognito and NINE, noting that capacity strengthening of rightsholders is essential in advocating for the implementation of the Disability Act. Maryann Okeke, another participant, emphasized the need to advocate for the domestication of the Disability Act, sensitizing the public through the media, and collaborating with civil society organizations to push common issues.

Vincent Okoye, another participant, spoke on the importance of strategic advocacy. He highlighted the need to research and understand what to present during advocacy, the need for allies in advocacy, setting goals and strategies for engaging allies, and how to manage information obtained through allies or stakeholders. He also stressed the importance of knowing one's roles in the implementation of the Disability Act and the appropriate terminologies to use while referring to persons with disabilities.

The event, with the theme "Implementation of the Disability Act: Breaking Barriers and Creating Opportunities for People with Disabilities," brought together stakeholders such as the National Human Rights Commission, National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, Federal Ministry of Education, and Federal Ministry of Women Affairs. Civil society groups such as the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Persons With Disabilities representing different OPDs from different parts of Nigeria, and different clusters of disability were also in attendance.

The event featured presentations on various relevant topics, such as the Understanding of the Concept of Disability by Favour Adjara, Overview of The Discrimination Against Persons With Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018/Validation of the simplified version by Barr. Tracy Onabis, Mainstreaming Accessibilities and Inclusion in all Programs by Dr. Chike Okogwu, and The Concept of Strategic Advocacy by Mr. Funsho Olajide. The program was rated a success by most participants, providing attendees with valuable insights and strategies for advocating for the rights of persons with disabilities in Nigeria.