By Martha Agas
The International Federation of Female Lawyers (FIDA) has called for the establishment of special desks in the police force to handle cases of People With Disabilities (PWDs).
The Chairperson of FIDA in Plateau, Mrs Obioma Achilefu, made the call at a sensitisation programme organised for PWDs on Friday in Jos.
The programme tagged: “Persons with Disability and Gender Based Violence” was organised by the Peace Advancement Action Against Violence and Rape Foundation in partnership with Leadership Empowerment Advocacy Humanitarian foundation.
The FIDA official said that the personnel attached to the desk should be trained on handling issues of PWDs, adding that the training should include communication skills, especially the use of sign language for the hearing impaired.
In her presentation entitled: “Identifying different ways to end violence among PWDs”, she called on government to also establish special courts for PWDs to accelerate their hearings for justice to encourage them to report cases and build their confidence and trust in the judiciary.
She urged the PWDs to be knowledgeable of their rights and collaborate with stakeholders such as the media to be administered justice while also propagating their needs for appropriate action.
In her remarks, the Team Lead of Peace Advancement Action Against Violence and Rape Foundation, Mrs Vivien Abara, said that the event was organised to create awareness amongst PWDs on their rights and avenue to seek redress when they are infringed.
She said that the organisation “offers psychosocial support to PWDs who experience Gender-Based Violence(GBV)”.
She also said that the foundation recorded 20 cases, comprising three males and 17 women within a month on domestic and sexual violence and emotional abuse.
Prof. Emelukan Yinka from the Department of Special Education and Rehabilitation Science, University of Jos, said that reports indicated that 28 per cent of women with disability had been sexually abused.
He said to address GBV all states should domesticate the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act and traditional leaders should be committed to protect the rights of women against violence, while nurturing new cultures that do not tolerate GBV.
He added that Women could establish GBV support groups to challenge men who beat their wives and anyone who perpetrates any form of violence against women and girls, while social and civic studies in schools should include sensitization on GBV.
Responding on behalf the participants, Miss Christabel Ndah, thanked the organisers for the programme,saying it had enlightened them on their rights and channels to seek justice when their rights are violated.(NAN).
