A coalition of women with disabilities have launched “Vote for Her”, a nation wide advocacy campaign aimed at fostering the inclusion of women with disabilities in Nigeria politics.
The campaign was launched at a Press Briefing in Abuja.
The “Vote for Her” campaign is an initiative of Cedar Seed Foundation, supported by Luminate, committed to championing the full political inclusion of women, and women and girls with disabilities in Nigeria.
The Deputy Executive Director of Cedar Seed Foundation, Rose Daniel, said that the “Vote for Her” campaign is a strategic civic advocacy initiative focused on eliminating the barriers that prevent women and girls with disabilities from participating in politics as voters, candidates, appointees, or decision-makers.
” It serves as a platform to promote disability rights, gender equity, and inclusive political practices across Nigeria.
For too long, women and girls with disabilities have been excluded from the very systems that shape our country’s future.
They face multiple layers of discrimination because they are women, persons with disabilities, and our political systems remain largely inaccessible, both physically and institutionally”.Ms Daniel said.
Also speaking at the event, the Chief Operating Officer of Cedar Seed Foundation, Ms. Catherine Akor, noted that the campaign is a national and international call to action.
” Today, we say: Enough is Enough. The “Vote for Her” campaign is not just a hashtag.
She said that it would address the “Challenging political structures that silence women, and women and girls with disabilities.
• Asking and demanding implementation of the 5% quota for persons with disabilities, as guaranteed by the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018
• Creating space for leadership, visibility, and voice”. Ms. Akor said.
She added that the campaign will change the narrative from exclusion to inclusion, from tokenism to transformation.
While reeling out the anticipated Campaign Activities and Engagements, the Public Relations Officer of the Women with Disabilities Inter Party Forum, Ms. Janet Funke, said that over the next 15 days, the group would commence its social media campaign.
She said that it will feature “Social media advocacy and storytelling to highlight experiences, and leadership capacities of women and girls with disabilities in Nigeria.
• Stakeholder engagement: High-level meetings with political party leaders, electoral bodies, CSOs, and
media outlets.
• Community mobilization: Engaging the public on the importance of inclusive electoral processes and
governance in Nigeria.
• Advocacy for policy change: Urging political parties to revise their constitutions and manifestos to
include and reflect the rights and needs of women with disabilities.
• Advocacy for inclusive political platforms, electoral processes and accessible voting processes”.
“We believe that inclusive governance is not a luxury; it is a necessity. The ‘Vote for Her’ campaign is a declaration that women and girls with disabilities deserve equal access to leadership and political opportunities.
” We are mobilising voices, institutions, and citizens to say loudly and clearly: ‘She Matters., she said..
Ms. Funke also said that the Call to Action includes “We want all political parties’ constitutions and manifestos to be inclusive and accessible to women and
persons with disabilities, mandated by the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC).
” We urge INEC and other stakeholders to make voting processes accessible from registration to polling stations. Let no woman be left behind”.
The Cedar Seed Foundation calls on development partners, media, traditional and religious leaders, women groups, students, and citizens to amplify the movement and join in building a Nigeria where every woman counts.
The Foundation
Cedar Seed Foundation (CSF) is a disability- and youth-led, non-profit organisation dedicated to advocating for the rights, dignity, and inclusion of persons with disabilities in Nigeria.
The ” Vote for Her” campaign is also supported by Luminate in collaboration and encouragement from allied organizations in the disability, gender, and civic advocacy space.