Stand Up For Your Rights-NGO Reawakens PWDs
By Wilfred Chukwuma
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 2-day sensitisation training which was held at St Paul Catholic Church Obukpa in Nsukka local government area on Tuesday with the theme “Understanding Our Rights as PWDs and How To Protect Ourselves From Gender-Based Violence,” aimed at educating PWDs in the area about their rights and privileges in the society.
In a remark, Prof Simon Eze, Enugu State coordinator, CLP, said that everybody is entitled to fairness and equality and nobody should be discriminated against.
“CLP stand is that nobody should be denied of his/her rights or discriminated against because he/she is disabled,” he said.
The coordinator expressed satisfaction with the responses of participants, stressing that PWDs in the area are now well educated on their rights and privileges.
“From their responses, they now have boldness and strength to challenge anybody who will trample on their rights and privileges,” he said.
He appealed to government at all levels to fully implement the Disabilities Act signed in 2018 in order to remove all barriers facing PWDs in the country.
Speaking, Celine Osukwu, the CLP Programme Manager said that the training would help the organisation to ascertain gender-based violence PWDs are facing in the area and how to help them solve their problems.
“We will expose them to laws protecting them as PWDs, build capacity and instil self-esteem in them.
“This training will encourage them to form a network in order to amplify their voice and resist any violence against them, be it physically, emotionally, psychologically or sexually, especially among women,” she said.
The programme manager said further that CLP would continue to be in contact with PWDs in the area so as to assist them where the need arises.
Also speaking, Philomena Okwueze, a Master’s Degree student at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka who was one of the resource persons said she presented herself as an example to the participants on why they should not be discouraged about their conditions, insisting that there is ability in disability.
Okwueze, visually impaired, and a master’s degree student in Mental and Emotional Health Care said she produces, packages and sells bathing soap, laundry soap, detergent, disinfectant, perfume, air freshener, among others under her registered business name with the Corporate Affairs Commission.
“Not only do I produce the above products, but I also train individuals and groups on how to make the products.
“As one who majors in mental and emotional health care, I counsel people especially youths on life challenges.
“That’s why I told participants that if I can be where I am today as a person with disability, that they too can do the same with self-acceptance and determination to succeed,” Okwueze said.
Responding, President of Physically Challenged Persons in the area,Paul Eze commended CLP for the training, stressing that they have been educated on how to live their lives as PWDs in the society.
“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 and know our worth.
“The training is an eye opener and a morale booster to all of us because we are now well educated on our rights and privileges as PWDs as well as how to protect ourselves against gender-based violence,” he said.
Eze, who is visually impaired, appealed to the Enugu State government to implement the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) 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 2-day programme has instilled in us a lot of knowledge and how to overcome our fear and challenges, as well as building positive mindset, and resilience among the people with disabilities.
“I commend the CLP for bringing the training to this part of the state; their resource persons are wonderful, they have given us reason why we should confront our day-to-day challenges without fear and continue to live a free and happy life,” he said
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Sam Udekwe is a journalist working in the News and Current Affairs department, Enugu State Broadcasting Service (ESBS) Enugu. He is well trained in all genres of journalistic venture.
Mr Sam read Mass Communication, graduating all with Distinction in National Diploma, Higher National Diploma and Postgraduate Diploma at IMT, Enugu and Madonna University, Okija, Anambra state, while he is presently on his M.Sc programme also in Mass Communication, at National Open University of Nigeria.
He is currently the NUJ Chairman, Enugu state.
samowailo@gmail.com
