Disabled Nigerian Women Call for Anti-Discrimination Measures
By Kay Schriner (kays@uark.edu)
>A group of Nigerian women with disabilities is calling for anti-discrimination protections that would help them fight discrimination in education, employment, housing, and health care.
Women with disabilities held a February conference in Lagos during which presenters documented the circumstances that limit the opportunities for women with disabilities in Nigerian society. Presenters included Ekaete Judith Umoh, Foluke Iowu, Biodun Ibrahim, J.A. Okon and Abiola Afolabi.
Like disabled people in other parts of the world, the Nigerian women observed that their lives are affected in highly negative ways by others' reactions to them. They cited the "disillusionment, ridicule and rejection" they face which comes from assumptions about their differentness. They claim that environmental barriers "create disability, limit opportunities and deprive people of their human rights."
The conference also discussed political reforms that disabled women believe are necessary to improve their status. Among these is passage of the Disability Bill now before the national Parliament, and strong implementation measures once it becomes law.
Another proposed reform would add disability to the 1999 Constitution as a category in the anti-discrimination section. Gender, religion and ethnic background are now the only categories appearing there.
Information for this story was taken from a report published by the P.M. News (Lagos).
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