Deaf Women Aloud Initiative ( DWAI) has sought to partner with the Nigeria Union of Journalist, NUJ to champion the project – Deaf Inclusive Sexual Health (DISH).
This was made known in a town hall meeting held with stakeholders recently in Awka, Anambra state to launch the initiative embarked on by the DISH project, which is the first of its kind in the Southeast.
The NGO aims among other salient issues, to address the barriers deaf women and young girls go through when trying to access healthcare services.
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 the society on these challenges which include, inaccessibility to healthcare due to communication barriers, stigmatisation and discrimination.
Inclusive Sexual Reproductive Health
Mrs Benyioku called for an all inclusive Sexual Reproductive Health and Right for women with disabilities especially women with hearing impairment.
“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. Hence, the collaboration with NUJ to hinge on the synergy in promoting the cause for persons living with disabilities,” she reiterated.
The NUJ Anambra Council Chairman, Comrade Odogwu Emeka Odogwu (Phd), represented by comrade by Comrade Ijeoma Ekwutosi commended the initative for its retinue of her educative and inspiring programmes also noting her selfless efforts in advocating the needs of the Joint Association of Persons Living with Disability(JONAPWD) and especially deaf women are properly addressed.
“NUJ as an organ of mass media, will continue to partner with the NGO in bridging the barriers that will enable deaf women access to sexual and reproductive healthcare in the state,” Dr Odogwu assured.
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), 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.
Lateefah Ibrahim
