…Blame stigmatization on families, friends
… Group Wants govt to domesticate law
Persons with disability in Niger state have decided the abandonment meted them by the government following the declaration of Polio free in Nigeria.
While bemoaning Government’s neglect, the State Chairman Polio Affected Persons Association, Awwal Ahmed said at a press briefing organized by Global Promoters for Community Initiative as part of activities to mark this year’s International Day for Persons with Disability that “the continuous stigmatization and abandonment faced on families, friends and government are as a result of the way our relatives present us”.
According to him “the Government and relatives have failed to realize our plights. This government has neglected us because they feel polio is out of Niger but they fail to realize that those of us who have disabilities need support.
“The problem we face everyday is not directly the fault of the government but from our communities, relatives and even friends. Some of them do not seem to understand our plight and so they neglect us. So, we are treated the way our relatives present us”.
Speaking earlier, Executive Director, Olasunkanmi Kalejaiye raised the alarm that so many Persons with Disability are faced with series of challenges ranging from discrimination, sexual and physical form of violence, stigmatization.
Kalejaiye further called on the Government to domesticate discrimination against people with disability of 2018 law to the State owned law for effective implemenation.
Adding, he said “the government need to establish a Commission as stipulated by the law. Authorities should now out effective measures in place for its full implemenation to ensure equal treatment and participation of people with disability”.
Also, Habiba Garba bemoaned Public and private structures saying “they are not disabled friendly. The pavements by the roads are also too high for us”.
