Chinedum Treasure
Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), Anambra State Chapter has charged leaders in the State to ensure no person with disability suffered violence in silence, and no survivor was abandoned.
State Chairman, JONAPWD, Comrade Okeke Ugochukwu Ernest made the commitment in Awka during a Dialogue of Leaders with Disabilities on Gender-Based Violence Prevention.
He charged members to commit themselves to deliberate action, including speaking honestly, sharing experiences and identifying existing gaps in the systems.
“We must move from reacting to preventing; from receiving complaints to identifying risks; from referral alone to protection and follow-up; from isolated responses to coordinated action; from promises to measurable commitments.
“Together, we can build disability communities where every woman, every girl, every boy and every person with a disability can live with dignity, safety, equality and freedom from violence.
“We must move from reacting to preventing. From receiving complaints to identifying risks. From referral alone to protection and follow-up. From isolated responses to coordinated action.
And from promises to measurable commitments,” he added.
Speaking on the theme, “From Complaint to Deliberate Action — Redefining Disability Inclusion for Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Community Protection,” Okeke said members’ responsibility must begin with prevention, awareness, early identification of risks, protection, accessible reporting mechanisms, referral, follow-up and accountability.
He said, “For too long, our response to gender-based violence has often begun after violence has already occurred—when a survivor comes forward to complain, when a family reports an incident, or when a serious case attracts public attention.
“As leaders, we must change the way we understand our role in GBV prevention. A disability leader should not only be someone who receives complaints and forwards them to the appropriate authorities.
“We must become agents of prevention and protection. We must know who among our members may be particularly vulnerable to violence. We must understand the barriers that make it difficult for persons with disabilities to report abuse.
“We must know where survivors can obtain medical care, psychosocial support, legal assistance and protection. Most importantly, we must make sure that no person with a disability is left alone after reporting violence.
“A woman with a physical disability, a girl with an intellectual disability, a person who is deaf or hard of hearing, a person who is blind, or anyone living with another form of disability may face additional barriers when experiencing violence.
“These barriers can include communication difficulties, physical inaccessibility, dependence on caregivers, financial dependence, social isolation, stigma, fear of retaliation and, sometimes, the disbelief of people who should protect them.”
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