Event description
Sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) has beleaguered the Nigerian nation for many years and statistics indicate that it is on the increase even with the enactment of the Violence against Persons Prohibition Act, with the trends showing that forms of SGBV seem to be getting worse. Available data indicate that 1 in every 5 women globally will experience some form of abuse during their lifetime, with the abuser most times being a member of the woman’s family or an intimate acquaintance.
Women and girls with disabilities (WGWDs) are more vulnerable to GBV especially sexual violence due to the multiple barriers they face in accessing justice services due to lack of protective legislation, negative attitude of service providers, inaccessible facilities, poor knowledge of their rights, and poverty. Most often, their experiences of violence remain hidden and unaddressed due to their fear of blame, increased stigma, and verbal abuse when such cases are reported.
The objectives of the meeting are to:
Introduce key concepts and approaches in disability inclusion to SGBV service providers.
Improve the knowledge of participants on diversity and peculiarities that exist within the disability spectrum.
Identify solutions to challenges faced by women and girls with disabilities in accessing justice in Nigeria.
Guide service providers on the best practices in disability-inclusive SGBV services.