Corruption: Nigerian women, physically challenged are an endangered species

Nigerian women and the physically challenged persons have been described as major victims of corruption in view of the negative impacts of the scourge on the womenfolk and the persons living with disabilities in the country.

The Executive Director, Development Research and Synergy Initiative, Princess Umoh, and the Chairperson of Joint Association of Persons with Disabilities in Akwa Ibom State, Offiong Bassey, stated this on Friday, in Uyo,  Akwa Ibom State capital,   during a two-day stakeholders’ dialogue on ‘Strengthening citizens’ resistance against prevalence of corruption’ organised by ActionAid Nigeria in collaboration with Policy Alert.

The duo were among the panelists at the forum which has about 300 participants  across segments of the society in attendance.

According to Umoh, it is depressing that women are still relegated to the background and efforts to reverse the trend are constantly resisted.

Umoh said: “The society suppresses us in order to make us submit to issues even if they are against our interests. For instance, in Akwa Ibom State, the Women Affairs Ministry was merged with another ministry. By merging the women ministry, the women space is being taken. We must take our space back. Let us take action in our small spaces as individuals.

“As women, we are an endangered species. Everything that is in the negative has the women face. Any society where women are relegated to the background would face the risk of underdevelopment just like in Nigeria.

“The Ministry of Women Affairs was given to us by the military but it is now being merged with another by the democratically elected government.

“We experience multiple taxation in markets in Akwa Ibom State and this is an evidence of corruption. Corruption has hindered us from speaking out because some of us who are outspoken are benefiting from corruption. If we don’t stand for our rights, we would have ourselves to blame for it.”

Other areas that were touched by panelists are infidelity, rape, abuse at places of work.

The panelists stressed that women and persons with disabilities should be meaningfully empowered with the right skills and knowledge to be able to negotiate their rights at the family, government circles and the society at large.

They said: “It is not only when you steal money that we have corruption but also when you deprive people of opportunities. Women are deprived and we need to take deliberate steps in changing the narrative. We had waited for too long but we need to position ourselves to take opportunities.

“We should talk about how many women are aspiring to be governors in 2023 and how ready are we to claim our rights. In the public sphere, women are used to mobilise crowd to meetings and for campaign during elections. Sadly, the best that they give to women are two commissioner slots and position of women leader. This is in apparent disregard to women’s rights and should be discouraged.”

On her part, Mrs Bassey said the society was unfair to the physically challenged persons in decision making and also in relationships.

She said she personally had nasty experience where she was denied of economic opportunities and that such had negative effect on her person.

She, however, urged the society and the government to create a separate commission for persons with disabilities, saying such would give priority to the issues of people concerned.