End Violence Against Women and Children With Disabilities: Group begins Advocacy

Society For Life Changers and Good Parental Care SoLife has begin it's advocacy to stakeholders of the SoLife-UN EMPOWER Project across Osun and Kwara States.

The Advocacy was part of the line-up of activities of Empowering Women and Girls with Disabilities through Improved Social Inclusion and Eliminating Gender Based Violence in Kwara and Osun States, on its setting up of State Partnership Against Violence Against Women/Girls (SPAGs).  

In Kwara state, the Attorney General (AG) and Commissioner for Justice, Hon. Barr. Saliman Ayinla Jawondo commended the EMPOWER team on the advocacy visit, pledged the ministry's total support to the EMPOWER project, also implored the team to consider other local governments in the state aside the target local governments for the project, adding that Kwara State government is delighted about the EMPOWER project.

The Permanent Secretary, Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board SUBEB, Alhaji Bayo Onimago said there is ability in disability, that Women and Girls With Disability (WGWD) are no longer write-offs. He added that people in rural communities has to change their orientation about people with disability. He applauded the organization's work in work on vulnerable and marginalized groups saying "They have no hope but we help rekindle their hope", mentioned that education is important for personal development, commended the partnership with relevant stakeholders such as the Ministry of Justice, the Nigerian police, and also proposed legislative of the house of assembly.

In Osun state, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mrs. Folashade Odoro, mentioned that the organization is ready to partner on the EMPOWER project, adding that the State Partnership Against Gender Based Violence Among women and Girls with Disability (SPAG) is a good initiative that the Family Unit of the Nigerian Police Force will represent in the project, she further stated it is disheartening to know that people treat persons with disabilities with contempt, saying it will no more be tolerated.

In their remarks at the Advocacy visits the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Manager, Odedeji Aanuoluwapo said the  UN Trust Fund  EMPOWER Project in collaboration with Society For Family Life and Good Parental Care is scheduled to hold in 9 local governments in Osun State and 6 Local government in Kwara state. 

She added that the State Partnership Against Gender Based Violence Among women and Girls with Disability (SPAG) Representatives among the stakeholders will receive training as included in the action plan for the project.

On her own part, the Project Manager, Mrs Adeola Falana appreciated the governments of Osun and Kwara states through the stakeholders, adding that with unity, dedication and delivery on the action plan of the EMPOWER Project, violence against women and girls with disabilities in the state will be reduced to the barest minimum or be eradicated totally.

Advocacy was also made to State of Osun Office of the Attorney General, the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Affairs, while the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development was also visited in Kwara state.

At the courtesy visit of the EMPOWER Project Advocacy was the State Chairman, Joint Association of Persons with Disabilities Kwara chapter, among others.