Amarachi Chukwuma, member of the Women with Disabilities of Nigeria Support Foundation, an NGO, on Thursday advocated for equal rights for paralympian women in Nigeria.
Chukwuma said this at a press briefing organised by the foundation to mark the 2016 International Women’s Day in Abuja.
She said for a long time, paralympian women were maginalised, adding that this made their achievement unrecognised.
She underscored the need for the Federal Government to begin to consider the needs of disabled sports women in its developmental processes and programmes.
Chukwuma said: “We can boast of so many Olympic gold medallists, silver, bronze and other international sporting competitions.
“If you ask me, I will say that everyone of us here should contribute his or her quota passionately to assist us in attaining our desires for gender equality.
“We need to advice the Federal Government to encourage, support and recognise these persons, which is one way of giving them a sense of belonging.”
Chukwuma said in order to build the capacity of these women, the foundation had introduced an ICT initiative to assist them achieve their aspirations and attain independence.
According to her, this will also create the needed platform for them because they have served this country in sports they should be gainfully employed and be self-reliant.
Ikeme Hippolite, the Secretary of the foundation, advocated the need for the Federal Government to create a ministry for disabled persons.
Hippolite reiterated the need to assist the foundation in its effort to provide ICT training for paralympians in order to empower them financially and mentally.
He said the world had become a global village as the internet had taken over every aspect of daily life, hence the need for them to be ICT compliant.
Dr. Tina Obi, the Global Women Leader, ofAll Nigerian Nationals in Diaspora, said the International Women’s Day was set aside yearly to celebrate women and listen to them.
Obi noted that women needed to be celebrated, encouraged and appreciated but added that they were the most vulnerable in the society.
She said: “Paralympians must have a means of livelihood.
“ICT training will equip them in this technological age to become empowered.”
Monday Emo Ghavwe, the President of the Paralympic Committee of Nigeria, appreciated the support of the Federal Government to paralympians in the country.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the International Women’s Day celebrated every year is meant to draw global attention on the need to appreciate women.
The theme for the 2016 celebration was: “Pledge for polity.”
NAN.
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