Nsukka, Nigeria – Community Life Project (CLP), a non-governmental organisation, has sensitised People with Disabilities (PWDs) in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State on their rights and privileges, especially as it concerns Gender Based Violence (GBV).
The two-day sensitisation training was held at St Paul Catholic Church, Obukpa, in Nsukka, on Tuesday, during which PWDs in tge area were educated on their rights and privileges in the society.
The theme of the training was “Understanding our rights as PWDs and how to Protect Ourselves from Gender Based Violence”.
In a remark, Prof Simon Eze, the Coordinator of CLP in Enugu State, said it is believed that everybody is entitled to fairness and equality in the society and nobody should be discriminated against.
“CLP’s stand is that nobody should be denied his/her rights or discriminated against, because all of us are equal before God,” he said.
The coordinator expressed satisfaction that trainee PWDs in the area now know their rights and privileges.
“Now they have boldness and strength to challenge anybody who will trample upon their rights and privileges,” he said.
He, however, urged government at all levels for the implementation of Disabilities Act signed into law since 2018 in order to remove all barriers facing PWDs in the country.
Speaking, Celine Osukwu, the CLP Programme Manager, said the training would help CLP to know GBV and other challenges facing PWDs in the area as well as let them know how to tackle the barriers.
“We will also expose them to available laws protecting them as PWDs, build capacity and instill self esteem in them.
“This training encourages them to form networks in order to amplify their voices as well as resist any GBV physically, emotionally, psychologically or sexually, especially among the females,” she said.
The programme Manage explained that even after the training, CLP would continue to be in touch with PWDs in the area, so as to assist where the need arises mainly on issues of GBV.
Also speaking, Philomena Okwueze, a master’s degree student at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, who is also disabled, said she taught participants that with self esteem and self acceptance there is ability in disability.
Okwueze said she produces, and sells soap, laundry soap, detergents, disinfectants, perfumes air fresheners to earn a living.
“I also train individuals and groups on how to make these products.
“As one who will major in mental and emotional health care, I counsel people, especially youths, on challenges facing them.”
Responding, Paul Eze, President of Physically-Challenged People in the area, commended CLP for the training, stressing that they have been educated on how to live their lives as PWDs.
“Physically challenged persons in Obukpa communities are grateful to CLP for bringing this very important training to our domain, they have prepared us to rediscover ourselves as well as know our worth.
Eze, who is visually impaired, appealed to the Enugu State government to implement the Disability ACT 2018, which was signed into law by former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Also speaking, Mr Chidozie Obi, one of the participants, described the training as an informative and power-packed programme, adding that they have been prepared on how to overcome their challenges.
“The two-day programme has instilled in us a lot of knowledge and how to overcome our fears and challenges, as well as in building positive mindset, and resilience among PWDs.
