In commemorating the International Deaf Awareness Month, the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), has assured its commitment to support the activities of Deaf women and girls in Nigeria.
The Executive Secretary NCPWD, James David Lalu, who gave this assurance in Abuja on Thursday, while receiving a delegation of organizer from the Most Beautiful Deaf Girl in Nigeria (MBDGN), promised to work with other partners and the deaf women community to ensure inclusion that will harness their talents for meaningful development of the country.
The visit was in preparation of the second edition of the Most Beautiful Deaf Girl in Nigeria Pageant, slated for Saturday, 17 September in Abuja.
Lalu noted that there are a lot of beautiful girls in the deaf community who can do everything and should be encouraged to add meaningful contributions to the society.
While encouraging the organizer, Lalu said Programs like this will continue to be supported by the Commission as they make life of persons with disabilities tremendously great.
On her part, the MBDGN organizer, Janet Fasakin noted that the initiative is an avenue to echo the issues bedeviling deaf women and girls thereby promoting the deaf rights in Nigeria.
Fasakin who explained that the purpose of the Most Beautiful Deaf Girl in Nigeria is to promote, advocate and create awareness for deaf rights and dignity through highlight pressing issues and the plight of the deaf community in Nigeria, added that disability does not mean inability.
Also, the Program Officer Deaf Resource Centre, Victoria Adewola said that Deaf Women and Girls if not given the needed visibility the SDGs milestone of 2030 will never be achieved.
She disclosed that Deaf Women and girls continue to face barriers in health, education and employment. Gender-based violence among Deaf women and girls are on the increase and most of these cases go unreported, leaving Deaf victims uncompensated and victimized.
Adewole further seek for collaboration and partnership with the general public to create opportunities that will empower them and give them a stronger voice.