Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has reiterated Federal Government’s commitment to provide the necessary support to people with disabilities to be included in governance process.
Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim stated this at the National Disability Dialogue organised by the Cedar Seed Foundation (CSF) in Abuja themed “National Disability Dialogue on AI, Democracy and Disability Inclusion in Africa”.
Represented by the Senior Social Welfare Officer (SSWO) from the Ministry, Sanusi Kareem, the minister said the Federal Government through the Ministry would continue to promote gender equality in Nigeria as well as engage in continued advocacy for the rights of the vulnerable groups especially people with disabilities. She equally assured of collaborations with CSF and other stakeholders championing the cause of the PWDs.
“It is my pleasure and honour to be part of this auspicious event of National Disability Dialogue on AI, Democracy and Disability Inclusion in Africa. This event will no doubt provide a platform for stakeholders present here to discuss important and prevailing challenges facing people with disabilities and explore contemporary solutions to address them.
“I want to state here that the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs is not only charged with the responsibility of advancing women and promoting gender equality in Nigeria but also charged with the responsibility of advocating for the rights of the vulnerable groups including people with disabilities.
“I want to thank and commend the relentless efforts of your organisation in advocating for the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities. I also thank your organisation for providing services that support persons with disabilities to participate in all aspect of life by mainstreaming their issues and concerns into National Development Agenda. The Federal Ministry of Women Affairs is always willing and committed to having more effective collaborations with your organisation and other stakeholders here,” the Minister told Tribune Online.
The organiser and founder, Cedar Seed Foundation and President, Network of Women with Disabilities (NWD), Lois Auta, said the purpose of the conference was to get support for people with disabilities to have unhindered access to education, politics, technology in order not to be left behind in the ever-changing world.
“The objective (of the conference) is to have a conversation on the importance and support of significance of including persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the work we do. This work could be education, it could be technology, it could be political process.
“How are we ensuring that our electoral process is inclusive, is accessible? The assistive devices that we have for persons with disabilities, how inclusive are they? In communications, in technology, in information we need to make sure that these critical issues are inclusive and accessible for persons with disabilities.
“The theme “National Disability Dialogue on AI, Democracy and Disability Inclusion in Africa” is all about using technology, data and democratic process in including persons with disabilities. These three critical issues are very important to us because the world is evolving. The world is changing day by day. And as it’s changing, how are we making sure that everything we use: AI, data, information, communication are accessible to persons with disabilities”, Auta said.
The chief operating officer (COO), Cedar Seed Foundation (CSF), Catherine Akor, in her submissions said the project, funded by Luminate and implemented by CSF, is centred on women and girls with disabilities.
“As part of the project, we’ve been going on advocacy visits to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Inter party Advisory Council (IPAC). It’s as a result of the visit that IPAC created the Disability desk. We are looking at creating a forum where women and girls who are in politics can come together to run for political offices by pooling resources together to support one another.”
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