By Bavoriat Clara
The Advocacy for Women with Disabilities Initiative (AWWDI) has renewed its call on governments at all levels to prioritise the active inclusion of girls and women with disabilities in policy formulation and public decision-making processes.
The organisation said that although the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act provides a solid legal framework for protecting the rights of persons with disabilities, implementation gaps continue to limit meaningful participation. AWWDI stressed that true inclusion must go beyond consultation to deliberate and structured representation in governance.
According to the group, the persistent under-representation of girls and women with disabilities in leadership spaces weakens inclusive development efforts and undermines democratic ideals. It noted that policies on education, healthcare, safety and social protection are often designed without sufficient input from those directly affected.
AWWDI therefore urged Federal, State and Local Governments to deliberately appoint qualified girls and women with disabilities to advisory boards, technical working groups and planning committees. It also called for the institutionalisation of mandatory disability-inclusion reviews for all major policies affecting social services.
The organisation further emphasised the need for sustained investment in leadership development programmes that will equip girls with disabilities with advocacy, policy and governance skills. Such capacity-building efforts, it said, are critical to preparing the next generation of inclusive leaders.
AWWDI made the call while showcasing outcomes from its “Future Leaders Training” initiative, which mentors young girls with disabilities to build confidence, civic awareness and leadership competence.
The group maintained that inclusive governance is not only a rights issue but also a development imperative, noting that societies thrive when diverse voices contribute to decision-making.
The advocacy campaign is being implemented by AWWDI with funding support from the Commonwealth Disabled People’s Forum.
Stakeholders say Nigeria’s democracy will be strengthened when girls and women with disabilities are given a seat at the table and empowered to help shape policies that affect their lives.
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