The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim has formally inaugurated the Women with Disabilities Network for Peace and Security (WDNPS).
The Inauguration took place at a high-level Multistakeholder Policy Dialogue in Abuja to commemorate the 2025 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence and the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, organised by the Ministry, SPRiNG Nigeria, and Women with Disabilities Networks.
The Minister said; “the gathering reinforces Nigeria’s commitment to inclusion, digital safety, and leadership for women with disabilities.”
She urged stakeholders to confront stigma and entrenched harmful norms, saying:
“Let us break the culture of silence and shame that forces survivors to suffer in the dark. Shame belongs to the perpetrators, not the victims.”
The Minister reaffirmed alignment with the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda, noting that her optimism was:“… inspired by the bold and compassionate leadership of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, whose Renewed Hope Agenda calls us to build a nation where no citizen is left behind.”
Calling for a minute of silence in honour of Gender-Based Violence victims, she described the recent kidnappings of women and schoolchildren as “deeply distressing” and expressed hope for their safe return.
She highlighted global milestones like the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and 25 years of UNSCR 1325, stating:
“Standing on three decades of institutional history… we are called to reaffirm our duty to all women and girls, especially those living with disabilities.”
The Minister outlined Nigeria’s obligations under the CRPD, the Maputo Protocol, the Disability Act, and the VAPP Act, and announced steps toward operationalising the newly approved Third National Action Plan (NAP III) on Women, Peace and Security.
She also reaffirmed digital empowerment efforts, describing the Happy Woman App as:“a gateway connecting women with disabilities to finance, skills, and protection mechanisms.”
Formally launching the WDNPS, she said:“May this Network stand as a beacon of hope, power, and possibility for generations to come.”
In a programme overview, the Tetra Tech SPRiNG Programme Team Leader, Dr Ukoha Ukiwo, said the partnership responds to Nigeria’s evolving peace and security realities.
He noted that “violence in its many forms continues to affect the life chances of Nigerians,” adding that SPRiNG, funded by the UK Government, is designed “to promote stability, strengthen institutions, and support communities adapting to the realities of climate change.”
He cautioned that “the digital space… has become a new frontline of danger for women and girls,” especially those with disabilities.
Also speaking, President of the Network of Women with Disabilities, Lois Auta, said:
“Inclusion is not a favour. It is a right; and safety is not optional, it is essential.”
She stressed that women with disabilities are “three times more likely to experience cyberstalking, blackmail, image-based abuse, and digital scams,” insisting that “this dialogue is not just another meeting. It is a call to action.”
The Dialogue brought together policymakers, security agencies, development partners, disability advocates, and technology stakeholders, united in advancing digital safety, expanding literacy, and strengthening Women, Peace and Security participation for women with disabilities.