DWAI Seeks Partnership With NUJ in Championing Cause of Deaf Women
By Ijeoma Ekwowusi
Deaf Women Aloud Initiative ( DWAI) has sought to partner with the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ to champion its project on Deaf Inclusive Sexual Health ( DISH).
In a town meeting held with stakeholders recently in Awka, Anambra state, the initiative is embarking on the DISH project which is the first of its kind in the Southeast which among other salient issues aims to address the barriers deaf women and young girls go through when trying to access healthcare services. Hence, the collaboration with NUJ hinges on the synergy in promoting the cause for persons living with disabilities.
According to the Executive Director of DWAI, Mrs Anurika Benyioku Alase, women living with hearing impairment have been subjected to all kinds of inhumane treatment as they live in silence. Stating, that the prerogative of the NGO is to create awareness and sensitise society to these challenges which include, inaccessibility to healthcare due to communication barriers, stigmatisation and discrimination.
She called for all-inclusive Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights for women with disabilities nay women with hearing impairment.
Mrs Alase further reiterated that as the watchdog of the society and fourth estate of the realm, the NUJ as the hope of the voiceless should double its effort to bring to the fore policies and programmes intended to address SRH problems.
On his part, the NUJ Anambra Council Chair, Comrade Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, PhD through his representative, Comrade Ijeoma Ekwowusi commended the imitative for its retinue of her educative and inspiring programmes also noting her selfless efforts in advocating that the needs of the Joint Association of Persons Living with Disability ( JONAPWD) and especially deaf women are properly addressed.
As an organ of the mass media, the NUJ offered to continue to partner with the NGO in bridging the barriers that will enable deaf women to access sexual and reproductive healthcare in the state.
The event had in attendance the representations of the Anambra State Association of Town Unions (ASATU), NUJ, Anambra State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (ASPHDA), Anambra State Health Insurance Agency, ( ASHIA), and Disability Right Commission. Others included Traditional Ruler of Amansea, His Royal Highness, Igwe Timothy Ochiagha 2, Ezenator Ezenwaka, Woman Leader of JONAPWP, Nwanokwara Ncheta and Chair of the Anambra State Association of the Deaf, Amobi Nwagwu.
