Speaking at the palace of the traditional ruler of Oguta Community in Oguta Council Area of Imo State, a staff of the organization, Christopher Njoku said the purpose of the visit was to notify the monarch of the Centre’s project on engaging religious and traditional leaders in the prevention of violence against women with disabilities in the State.

Njoku solicited the support of the monarch for the project to be implemented in Oguta community.

Also speaking, another staff of the Organization, Colette Bennett said Centre for the Right to Health commenced a project on preventing violence against women with disabilities in the state last year and is working in nine local government areas of the state including Oguta LGA.

“Women with disabilities also face various forms of gender based violence at home and in public places in the community but because they are incapacitated physically and economically, they find it difficult to speak out or seek justice”, Bennett added.

She further stated that the Centre had lined up activities such as trainings, community sensitization, media outreach and advocacy programs aimed at building the capacities of women with disabilities, Civil Society Organizations, traditional rulers, religious leaders and the general public on issues around violence against women with disabilities with a view to preventing them, giving voice to women with disabilities and supporting them to address violations.

On her part, Godstime Egbuchilem, a physically challenged person, lamented the challenges faced by women with disabilities, identifying inadequate health care, social amenities and support as their major impediments.

She bemoaned the high unemployment rate among persons with disabilities while urging the government to provide employment, student loan and pension scheme for them.

Josephine-Precious Orji, another physically challenged person, emphasized the need for people with disabilities to be educated and economically empowered to enhance their well-being.

Responding, the traditional ruler of Oguta Community, Eze Nnani Chinedu Nzeribe, The Eze-Igwe and Paramount Ruler of Oguta Community advised the organization “to take inventory of persons with disability in the community, look at their clusters and support them”, promising to provide space for their meetings, trainings at no cost, as well as technical support to the project.

He also advised CRH to work with the National Assembly in pushing the passages of laws on making public buildings accessible for persons with disability, while promising to build a ramp in the entrance of the palace as a support to the project.

Similarly, Eze Engr Samuel Amaefule, Chimereze 1 of Amaise Ibeme, Isiala Mbano Council Area had on Tuesday, 27th February 2024 received on courtesy, Staffers of Centre for the Right to Health, in his palace, where he condemned the ill treatment meted on persons with disability especially rape, and enjoined government and public spirited individuals to extend help and support to them.

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