IWD2022: Group advocates language sensitivity to end disability biases

Nigeria’s media practitioners have been urged to be sensitive in the choice of words used to portray disability and describe persons with the conditions in their reports and productions.

A nongovernmental organisation Hope Inspired Foundation for Women and Youths (HIFWY) told journalists at a gathering in Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital, that the language used in the print, electronic and digital media unconsciously entrenches the discrimination faced daily by Nigeria’s estimated 27 million persons with one form of disability or the other.

Organised to commemorate this year’s International Women’s Day and enlist the media’s partnership in ending the rampant discrimination, the gathering highlighted the additional challenges faced by women with disabilities and HIFWY’s efforts to reverse the trend.

This year’s commemoration marked globally with activities on March 8 and throughout the rest of the month seeks to “break the bias” that holds women back in their quest for equality in societies dominated by men.

“Being a woman with a disability is worse off because people do not see the possibilities in you,” said Mrs. Omolara Daniel, HIFWY’s program manager, as she outlined the additional challenges society’s attitudes impose on women with disabilities compared to those without disabilities.

Hurtful language

According to her, women with disabilities are often unable to adequately care for themselves and their families and contribute to their communities because of discrimination, stereotypes and biases which make them more vulnerable to sexual abuse, gender-based violence, economic deprivation and other challenges.

She attributed the stereotypes and biases largely to the ableist (or hurtful) language used to describe disability as reflected in the media coverage and productions as well as in Nigeria’s indigenous languages.

In response, a journalist Ms. Abiose Adams called on HIFWY and other organisations in the disability community to address the confusion created by the diverse words and phrases used among PWDs themselves and their organisations.

She also called for more programs to be organised frequently to train media practitioners on acceptable conventions in reporting about disabilities.

On her part, another journalist, Ms. Chioma Obinna, said she would continue to use her news reports to create awareness of disabilities and change the stereotypes and biases.

Empowered for self-advocacy

HIFWY also highlighted its efforts in helping women with disabilities overcome sexual abuse and gender-based violence.

According to its program manager, the organisation regularly organises training programs to empower women with disabilities.

Through a year-long project funded by another nongovernmental organisation, Disability Rights Fund, HIFWY has been training women and girls with disabilities in Lagos State on their sexual rights since September 2021.

Mrs. Daniel said HIFWY also developed a training manual suited to the peculiar needs of women with disabilities. The manual was used to train 30 women in February.

“We want them to be able to advocate for themselves and to spread the knowledge to other women within their communities,” she added.

In order to reduce the prevalence of sexual abuse and gender-based violence, a member of the Lagos Chapter of Nigeria Association of the Blind, Ms. Kudirat Amuda, advised women to always ‘speak up’ when they are experiencing violence or discrimination.

She said women needed to support one another to end their relegation.