Parents of Children with Disabilities’ Forum has appealed to federal, state and local governments and the international community to ensure full and productive employment, decent work and sustainable economic growth for persons with disabilities.
This was contained in a press release jointly signed by Mrs Catherine Isang, Hajia Fatima Abubakar Doki, and Mr Akoh Ali Neuman, to mark 2022 International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
The event was organised by the National Commission of Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), in collaboration with Deaf Resource Centre (DRC) and parents of children with disabilities in Abuja, yesterday.
The programme manager, Deaf Resource Centre, Victoria Adewole said the aim of the event was to increase understanding and awareness of disability issues and the abilities of persons with disabilities, promote the full and effective participation in society for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities, as well as celebrate the achievements and contributions of persons with disabilities in the society.
Hajia Fatima Abubakar Doki on behalf of parents of children with disabilities said, “All around the world, there are nearly 240 million children with disabilities, 1 in 10 children worldwide- are being denied basic rights, according to UNFPA (2021) World population dashboard as well as the WHO/World Bank (2011) report on disability.
“Nigeria is home to an estimated 32 million persons with disabilities, most of whom are children, like every child in the world, children with disabilities have the right to be nurtured through responsive care, supported in education, and provided with adequate nutrition and social protection, including in humanitarian situations, but all too often, such rights are denied.
“Director Planning Research and Statistics, National Commission For Persons With Disabilities Olasoji Ebenezer Adewale, represented the executive secretary of the commission Mr. James David Lalu, while marking his remarks saying that what parents of Persons With Disabilities are doing is advocacy and it is one of the ways to end discrimination against persons with Disabilities.”
