JONAPWD Declares War on Beliefs Fueling GBV Against Persons With Disabilities
By Praise Chinecherem
The Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities, JONAPWD, Anambra State Chapter, has declared a new push to prevent gender based violence against persons with disabilities, challenging harmful beliefs and social attitudes that expose vulnerable people, especially women and girls, to abuse.
The State Chairman of JONAPWD, Comrade Okeke Ugochukwu Ernest, made the call in Awka during a Dialogue of Leaders with Disabilities on Gender Based Violence Prevention, supported by ActionAid.
Speaking on the theme, “From Complaint to Deliberate Action: Redefining Disability Inclusion for Gender Based Violence Prevention and Community Protection,” Okeke said disability leaders must move beyond responding to abuse after it occurs and take deliberate action to prevent violence in the first place.
He called for stronger awareness of the rights of persons with disabilities and the creation of safe reporting systems where survivors can speak out without fear, shame or stigma.
Okeke stressed that effective GBV prevention requires collaboration among government agencies, security and justice institutions, healthcare providers, civil society organisations and community leaders.
He insisted that disability inclusion must be built into government planning, budgeting, awareness campaigns, reporting and referral systems rather than treated as an afterthought.
According to him, the real measure of progress is not only the number of abuse cases addressed, but also the number of vulnerable persons protected and potential cases of violence prevented through community action.
Also speaking, the Muslim Co Chairman on GBV in Anambra, Alhaji Sheriff Olanrewaju, said women and girls with disabilities face heightened vulnerability to gender based violence, which he attributed to factors including dependence on caregivers and mobility and communication barriers.
Olanrewaju called for stronger regulation of traditional practitioners allegedly linked to abuse and improved access to justice for persons with hearing and communication disabilities, particularly through wider use of sign language.
The Acting Head of the Anambra State Disability Rights Commission, Mrs Jane Ajaegbu, and ActionAid Focal Person, Mrs Perpetual Nwakelundu, pledged stronger collaboration with JONAPWD in advancing disability inclusive GBV prevention and protection.
The dialogue brought together government officials, disability rights advocates, civil society organisations, religious leaders, security agencies and JONAPWD coordinators from the 21 local government areas of Anambra State.
A major outcome of the meeting was the adoption of action plans by participants, with LGA coordinators and cluster leaders pledging to prevent, protect, report, refer, follow up and demand accountability in cases involving persons with disabilities.
Participants also resolved to challenge any attempt to use disability as a justification for violence, exploitation, discrimination or exclusion, reaffirming their commitment to building safer and more inclusive communities.
