NGO pledges support to deaf girls, women

The Deaf Women Aloud Initiative (DWAI), an NGO, has pledged to provide safe menstrual products to deaf girls and women in the country. The Executive Director of the organisation, Mrs Hellen Beyioku-Alase, made the pledge at the launch of a magazine to mark the 5th anniversary of the initiative in Abuja on Wednesday.

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She said that the effort is to tackle “period poverty” among deaf women. The term is used to describe the lack of access to hygienic products during women’s monthly period (menstruation). The monthly period is a homonal cycle females’ body goes through to prepare for pregnancy.

Period poverty is, therefore, a global issue affecting those who don’t have access to safe menstrual products such as cloths, reusable and disposable pads, menstrual cups and tampons, to manage their monthly periods with dignity.

The director said that the organisation had been helping deaf women and girls in the last five years to reach their full potential, and to create better future for them and the community.

According to her, the NGO focuses on inclusive sexual and reproductive health rights, Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and ensuring that their dreams come to pass. She added that the group advocated for policies and practices that promote the rights of deaf women and girls.

Beyioku-Alase said “period poverty is a major challenge for deaf women and girls and can lead to absenteeism
in school, stigma and other negative consequences. We will present a documentary on experiences of deaf girls that are passing through menstrual issues and to see how such issues affect them.One of the areas we will like to focus in the coming years will be on efforts to tackle the issues.”

Mr Lawrence Idemodia, the Director of Socials in the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), commended the group for advocating for deaf women and girls. He said the commission is proud of the work being done as it bring issues concerning deaf women to the front burner.

Idemodia said support for People with Disabilities is part of the mandate of the commission, adding that no stone would be left unturned to support the initiative to tackle “period poverty” among the women.

The Deputy High Commissioner of Australia, Amb. Matthew Mechan, said the commission supported the initiative in the last 10 years.

He added that “I am an advocate of inclusivity for women and girls but it is even more difficult for women and girls that are deaf. People living with disabilities must be treated equally like any other person because we are all the same.”

Also, the Chairman, Abuja Association of the Deaf, Mr Ayode Beyioku-Alase, felicitated DWAI on the auspicious occasion of its 5th anniversary.

He said “your commitment to creating a platform where deaf women can find their voice, express their talents and address the unique challenges they face is truly commendable.” 

NAN/WUMI