By Mahmud Attahiru
As Nigeria marks Children’s Day, HEAL Disability Initiative, a non-governmental organization, has expressed deep concern over the deplorable conditions faced by children with disabilities in the country.
According to Mainas Ayuba, the Founder of the organization, children with disabilities in Nigeria encounter significant barriers, including attitudinal, physical/environmental, and systemic evident through discrimination, stigma, and inadequacies in access to quality education, healthcare, nutrition, and development opportunities. These barriers are sustained by harmful myths, prejudices, and stereotyping, particularly against children with severe cerebral palsy and intellectual disabilities.
Ayuba said that children with disabilities are often viewed as burdens, and many families are continuously forced to live in deplorable and inhuman conditions due to the presence of members with disabilities. The harsh economic environment and policies, coupled with insecurity, have exacerbated their vulnerability.
“Disability is both a cause and effect of poverty, and the Sustainable Development Goals’ thrust of “leaving no one behind” seems like a mirage for children with disabilities in Nigeria” said Ayuba.
According to him, to facilitate the attainment of disability related indicators of the SDGs’, public institutions, such as the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, must ensure the implementation and monitoring of the Disability Prohibition Act (2018) to address the systemic barriers and ensure inclusivity.
“HEAL Disability Initiative is calling on government, parents, caregivers, and society at large to as a matter of urgency prioritize the socioeconomic inclusion and empowerment of children with disabilities, thereby promoting their human rights and human dignity.
“As Nigeria celebrates Children’s Day, the organization’s call to action serves as a reminder of the need for collective efforts to promote the welfare and well-being of all children, including those with disabilities”, Ayuba emphasised.
This is a welcome development and we are very greatful sir.
May God help us and bless you.
Thank you sir
Heal Disability Initiative its a non governmental organization that strained people with disability how to be self reliance,by calling them to avoid street begging which is very risks to their life.
So we really appreciated Heal Disability with their kind of sport and awareness to PWDs in Nigeria.
As
At last our hope and pray,may Almighty
God bless our federal republic of Nigeria,bless Heal Disability Initiative and bless PWDs.
Thank you so much.