SRH Programs “Must” Include Protection Against Sexual Violence Against Deaf Women- ASDRC Boss
By Chidimma Ajemba
Chairman of Anambra State Disability Rights Commission, Barrister Chuks Ezewuzie, has appreciated the Executive Director of Deaf Women Aloud Initiative( DWAI) Mrs Helen Anurika Beyioku- Alase, for always bringing in projects that will immensely, benefit the Deaf community..
Barr. Ezewuzie who was a guest speaker at a stakeholder’s Strategic/Town Hall Meeting held on Thursday, 8th December, 2022, at Cienvilla Luxury Hotel, Awka, described Mrs Alase as a great Disability Patron of Anambra state
The Deaf Inclusive Sexual Health (DISH) project sponsored by HIVOS and We Lead, organized by the Deaf Women Aloud Initiative (DWAI) was aimed at addressing the barriers Deaf women and young girls face when trying to access healthcare services.
Barr Ezewuzie, who outlined what the ANDRC can do to ensure total access to Sexual Reproductive Health for the Deaf Community in the state especially women and young girls, emphasized that SRH must include protection against sexual violence.
“If there is any group that will susceptible to violence, it is the Deaf women and young girls because people always try to take advantage of them not understanding their communication system.
The ANDRC boss expressed the commitment of the commission to include the awareness of the SRH needs of the Deaf community in its sensitization program.
Delivering her address of welcome, the Executive Director of DWAI, Mrs Helen Anurika Beyioku- Alase, said that Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRH) is a key component to achieving universal health coverage.
“WHO believes that SRH is a game changer in countries developing policies to ensure equitable access to healthcare services.
She further revealed that universal health coverage clearly stated that everyone irrespective of who they are, must have a right to access healthcare services without encountering any form of barrier, especially women with disabilities.
One of the resource persons, Miss Ncheta Nwanokwara, who is the Woman Leader, Joint Nationals Association of Persons with Disabilities, Anambra State Chapter, while delivering a lecture on “Health Access for Women with Disabilities, The Journey So Far”, noted that over the years, women with disabilities have had to battle with divergent challenges in accessing quality healthcare services.
“Every woman with a disability has the right to SRH as embedded in Anambra State Disability Rights Law (ASDRL 2018) and Disability Rights Act 2019, respectively.
Representatives from the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Anambra Health Insurance Agency, Anambra Primary Healthcare Services, Traditional Leaders, the Chairman of Anambra State Association of Deaf, Comrade Amobi Nwagwu, women with disabilities and gentlemen of the press were all present at the event.
