Group Organizes Deaf Inclusive Sexual Health Programme In Anambra State
By Chinwe Onuigbo, Awka
The Deaf Women Aloud Initiative (DWAI) has organized a sexual health program for deaf women in Anambra State, south east Nigeria. The Chairman of Anambra State Disability Rights Commission(ASDRC), Barrister Chuks Ezewuzie has appreciated the executive director of the Deaf Women Aloud Initiative( DWAI) for always bringing in projects that will benefit the Deaf community immensely, describing her as a great disability patron of Anambra state.
He stated this while speaking as a guest at the stakeholder’s strategic/town hall meeting held recently in Awka, Anambra state.
The Deaf Inclusive Sexual Health (DISH) project sponsored by International Humanist Institute for Cooperation with Developing Countries (HIVOS ),and We Lead and organized by the Deaf Women Aloud Initiative (DWAI), was aimed at addressing the barriers Deaf women and young girls face when trying to access healthcare services.
Outlining what the ASDRC can do to ensure total access to Sexual Reproductive Health(SRH), for the Deaf Community in the state especially women and young girls, Barrister Ezewuzie noted that SRH must include protection against sexual violence.
“If there is any group that is subsensible to violence, it is the Deaf women and young girls because people always try to take advantage of them not understanding their communication system.”
The ASDRC boss committed that the commission will include in their sensitization program the awareness of the SRH needs of the Deaf community.
Delivering her address of welcome, the executive director of DWAI Mrs Helen Anurika Beyioku- Alase said that Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRH) is a key component to achieving universal health coverage.
“World Health Organisation (WHO),believes that SRH is a game changer in countries developing policies to ensure equitable access to healthcare services.” she added.
She further revealed that universal health coverage clearly stated that everyone irrespective of who they are, must have a right to access healthcare services, especially women with disabilities without encountering any form of barrier.
One of the resource persons Miss Ncheta Nwanokwara, woman leader Joint Nationals Association of Persons with Disabilities Anambra State Chapter while delivering on “Health Access for Women with Disabilities the journey so far ” noted that over the years that women with disabilities have had to battle with divergent challenges in accessing quality healthcare services.
” Every woman with a disability has the right to SRH as embedded in Anambra State Disability Rights Law (ASDRL 2018) and Disability Rights Act 2019 respectively.”
Representatives from the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Anambra Health Insurance Agency, Anambra Primary Healthcare Services, Traditional Leaders, the Chairman of Anambra State Association of Deaf, Comrade Amobi Nwagwu, women with disabilities and gentlemen of the press were all present at the event.
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