The Adolescent Health and Information Projects (AHIP), has charged stakeholders, civil society organizations, Persons living with Disabilities (PWD’s) to unite and raise a strong voice in the fight against descrimination of PWDs and GBV.
The executive director AHIP, Hajiya Mairo Bello Garko made the appeal during an event to commemorate the international day of people living with disabilities (IDPD), held in Kano.
She described rising discrimination aginst people living with special needs and lack of sexually assault referral center (SARC), as major catalysts in promoting societal problems.
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According to her, AHIP and inclusive Action for Adolescent Girls Education (I-AGE),are concerned about how Kano state is lagging behind in terms of establishing SARC center,where states like Kaduna and Jigawa have six (6) and four (4) SARC centres,to cater for GBV survivors.
The lead presenter,Barrister Fatima Ahmed spoke extensively on the historical perspective of GBV, and discrimination of PWDs, saying that, protection of the rights of children, education, healthcare and employment,would go a long way in moving the society forward.
She highlighted that,timely release of budgetary allocation, proper implementation of laws and policies would go long way in alleviating their suffering.
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Barrister Fatima encouraged PWDs and relevant stakeholders, to build resilience against discrimination, irrespective of challenges to meet their targets.
Part of the recommendations by the participants, includes the creation of disability commission in Kano state, and the appointments of people living with special needs, to pilot the affairs of the commission.
The 2023 international day for persons with disabilities is themed: “United in action to rescue and achieve the SDGs for, with and by persons with disabilities”.