By Paul Efiong Over 20 women from different disability clusters met in Abuja the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) from Wednesday 16th to Friday 18th December, 2015 with unanimous decision to go ‘WILD,’ challenge themselves and change the world around them.
The 3-day programme was organized by the Family Centered Initiative for Challenged Persons (FACICP) under the able leadership of Ms. Ekaete Judith Umoh, who also doubles as National President of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) in Nigeria and also an Alumni of Mobility International USA.
The programme was a step-down of a Train-the-trainers project of the Women Institute on Leadership and Disability (WILD) Training, a Project of Mobility International USA with support from USAID, through Leadership and Management and Governance Project.
MIUSA is a US-based disability-led nonprofit organization, founded in 1981 by Susan Sygall and Barbara Williams working to advance disability rights and leadership globally. The WILD brings together new and emerging grassroots women leaders with disabilities to build skills, exchange experiences and strategies, create new vision and network of support.
The 3-day WILD In-Country Training exposed participants to modules including leadership skills, women’s health, inclusive education, policy legislation and advocacy. Participants also learnt how to write proposals, why they should view themselves as agents of change as well as reasons they should always push for recognition by government at all levels.
The project facilitator and National President of JONAPWD, MS Umoh said the 3-day workshop has afforded women members who participated at the event the opportunity to carry out disability advocacy in all areas which include: empowerment for women,health, politics, inclusive education among others.
Ekaete who earlier lectured participants on several approaches to disability issues in the country, mentioned medical approach, charity approach, social approach, and the human Rights approach while enjoining that as a group, JONAPWD members should work together as a team to get the federal government’s attention in order to assent to National Disability Law.
Participants at the workshop commended the leadership qualities of Ms. Umoh noting that this was the first time ever they would be attending such a training.
Edeh Catherine Chinyere, a participant, Lawyer, Washington Mandellan Fellow and Executive Director Voice of Disability Initiative(VDI) in an interview expressed satisfaction with the event, adding that it has equipped her on how to write a proposal with no assistance.
Another participant and Washington Mandella Fellow, Lois Auta, thanked Ms. Umoh for the opportunity to attend the programme. She stated: “I have learnt the meaning of disability in a professional way through this training.”
Mrs Celine Nkiru Okoro, a facilitator at the event and Deputy Coordinator, Global Fund for Women Grantees Network in Nigeria exposed participants to international development issues for women. She urged women to visit the website for MIUSA, USAID and GFW to apply for grants. She added that GFW is always ready to support women groups with grant’.
Participants also engaged in various social activities on the evenings of each day. The women had an all night public dance at Jazz Blues Garden in Abuja. Deaf Afro-mine troupe were also on ground on the last day of the event to trill participants through various dance steps shortly after the conclusion of the workshop.
