We Are Working To Advance The Rights OF PWDs In Edo State Nigeria

On the 3rd of December of, 2023, International IDEA joined the global community to commemorate the International Day of Persons with Disability as part of our commitment to inclusion. In partnership with the Edo State Ministry of Social Development and Gender Issues, we collaborated with various Disabled Persons Organisations, including the Joint Association of Persons with Disability (JoNAPWD), Network for the Advancement of Persons With Visible Disabilities (NAPVID), and others, to organise a road walk and a one-day conference aimed at enhancing public awareness of disability issues and advocating for the rights of Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) as outlined in the Edo State Discrimination Against Persons with Disability Prohibition Law.

The conference served as a platform for PWDs to advocate for implementing the Disability Rights Law, explicitly focusing on establishing the Disability Rights Commission. Attendees included representatives from Government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, as well as Human Rights Activists and Civil Society Organizations. Notable participants included the Honorable Commissioner for Social Development and Gender Issues, Christabel Omoh Ekwu; the representative of the Honorable Chief Judge of Edo State; Human Rights Advocate, Prof. Mike Ozekhome SAN; Chairperson of JoNAPWD, Ann Ojugo, among others. 

A significant moment during the event was the public presentation of gazette copies of the Edo State Discrimination Against Persons with Disability Prohibition Law. International IDEA supported printing 2000 copies of the Disability Rights Law for distribution to stakeholders. "The change we want to see begins with you and me. We can each work to create a society that values the rights of PWDs and champions inclusiveness across all sectors of society. The Edo State Government is committed to this course, and with support from our partners at RoLAC and other donor organisations, we will achieve our goal of entrenching inclusiveness of PWDs in all areas of society and government in Edo State." -Hon. Christabel Omo-Ekwu, Hon. Commissioner for Social Development and Gender Issues, Edo State
.