Deaf women Association of Nigeria, Northeast Zone calls for full recognition of Deaf women Right in achieving gender equality.
The call was made during the opening ceremony of Maiden Zonal Annual General Meeting of Deaf Women Association of Nigeria,Northeast Zone at Development Exchange Centre, GRA Bauchi, Bauchi state.
In her welcoming remarks, the zonal coordinator group, Miyausa Wayuta Mshelia expressed appreciation to all dignitaries and participants for honouring it’s invitation to witness the event, urged all dignitaries and stakeholders to not relent in supporting the group in achieving Deaf women right and gender equality even after her tenure as the the Leader of the group in Northeast.
“It’s unfortunate that Deaf women are relegated behind despite their God’s given talents.
They have become dependent on their families, husbands, caregivers, society etc which makes them vulnerable and sometimes some people can take advantage of them.
One of the aim of this organization is to empower them to be self reliant and contribute to their families and society.
Briefing the history of the group, Mshelia said the group that come in to existence in 2001 already have branches in all 36 states and FCT. She said the group become necessary because women have the ability to resolve their own challenges instead of other to resolve it for them stressing that there’s nothing about us without us and that it’s he/she who wear the shoes know where its pinch.
” We are women, some of us are graduates from different higher tertiary institutions, we want gender equality when it come to employment and empowerment too. Why because when you bring Ten (10) employment slots and say you will give 7 men and 3 women, you’re not promoting justice and gender equality, to promote justice and gender equality you need to share it equally by giving 5 men and 5 women each so long they met the requirements”
On areas of education, Mshelia laments that most teachers in special schools didn’t study education so how can they teach our special children? She urge the government to employ professionals who study and understands special education and sign language to teach those Deaf and special children in special schools for a better future.
She also called for employment of sign language interpreters to facilitate communication between the Deaf and doctors in hospitals, stressing that communication barrier can led to prescription of wrong drugs that can endanger their lives.
Our correspondent reports that dignitaries present during the opening ceremony includes a representative of ministry of health, Ministry of higher education (represented and donated the sum of Fifty thousands Naira to the group) HRH, Alh Dr Rilwanu Sulaiman Adamu The Emir of Bauchi (Represented by Chiroman Bauchi) FOMWAN,BATV, Bauchi State Agency for persons with disabilities(BSAPWD) Bauchi State Environmental Protection Agency (BASEPA) , representative of ministry of justices among others dignitaries who gave different goodwill message of encouragement and assurance of support to the group.
Welcoming participants coming from different Northeast states to Bauchi on behalf of Bauchi Emirate council, Chiroman Bauchi who represents the Emir HRH Alh Dr Rilwanu Sulaiman Adamu, assured the group that their challenges are heard and noted and will be delivered to the authorities concerned
“we heard your challenges especially on areas of employment and empowerment and I will report back to the HRH the emir of Bauchi and by God grace the emir will try to see many of your demands are implemented.
The Director of Admin and Finance, Bauchi state Agency for persons with disabilities Mr Bala also assured Bauchi Deaf women and all PWDs of equal employment and empowerment coming from the state government.
“I am really delighted and warmly welcome you all on behalf of the Agency and the government of H.E Sen.Bala Mohammed ( Kauran Bauchi), This Agency belong to you and all PWDs and many workers within the Agency are persons with disabilities. We will keep promoting gender equality when it comes to employment and empowerment within the Agency and the government by God grace”
Mr Bala however laments that he observed most requests for empowerment, employment etc were submitted by male counterparts, he urge Deaf women and other disabled women groups to summit their educational documents and any request for empowerment to the Agency so that when slots come to the Agency their documents will be remembered also.
The director BATV also assured the group of his organization support to promote their advocacy message to the general public stressing the importance of information especially radio and television in delivering messages to the general public.
“BATV is always with you and we will continue to be with you to achieve your aims and share your advocacy messages so that people will see and know your activities and advocacy”
The state chairperson of the group Ms Tabawa Garba in her closing remarks, thanked all dignitaries, stakeholder and participants who graced the occasions from far and near despite their tight schedules urging them not to relent in supporting the group until it’s aims and objectives of achieving gender equality, justice and empowerment of Deaf women for self reliance is achieved.
Inclusive reporters reports that the six(6) Northeast states chapter of Deaf women Association of Nigeria excluding yobe send delegates to participates in the events held at Development Exchange Centre, GRA Bauchi.
