CBM Global urges implementation of Disability Rights Act

Abdulazeez Musa, Country Director, CBM Global Disability Inclusion, has highlighted the urgent need for unified efforts towards implementing the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018. He made the call on Tuesday in Abuja during a 2-day workshop themed, “Organizational Strengthening Workshop for Persons with Psychosocial Disabilities”. Daily Trust reports that the workshop, organised […]

Abdulazeez Musa, Country Director, CBM Global Disability Inclusion, has highlighted the urgent need for unified efforts towards implementing the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018.

He made the call on Tuesday in Abuja during a 2-day workshop themed, “Organizational Strengthening Workshop for Persons with Psychosocial Disabilities”.

Daily Trust reports that the workshop, organised by CBM Global Disability Inclusion with support from the UK government through the SUCCEED Africa programme, was aimed at empowering organizations of persons with psychosocial disabilities. The workshop provided the opportunity for learning, sharing best practices, and collaboration among stakeholders dedicated to promoting the rights of persons with psychosocial disabilities.

Abdul said: “The Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities Prohibition Act that was passed in 2018 still needs to be implemented. The government needs to fund and show political will to implement the Act.

“The incubation period for the Act that requires public institutions and facilities to be more accessible has elapsed. But unfortunately, we haven’t moved to what we would have loved to see. At the moment, many public institutions and people that are supposed to drive the implementation are not even aware of the Act.

“So, the government needs to really sensitize its arms to be able to understand and make necessary budgetary provisions to implement the Act.”

He said that the workshop was organized to enable the design and implementation of advocacy programmes for organizations of and for persons with psychosocial disabilities.

The CBM Global Regional Mental Health Advisor for Africa, Michael Njenga said: “Laws are important, but again, we have to resolve this particular law, so that people can enjoy their fundamental rights and freedom on an equal basis with others.

He said “This must be supported by the meaningful participation and inclusion of people with psychosocial disabilities. So, if we are developing a mental health law or policy, then we need to ensure that we are meaningfully including persons with psychosocial disabilities through their representative organizations.”

Dr Olayinka Egbokhare of the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan and SUCCEED Africa, said, “As a country, there are many things we can do to help persons with psychoscoial disabilities or any other form of disability to live fulfilled lives.

“Are we doing enough? I wouldn’t say so. There’s still a lot that we need to do in terms of awareness, empowerment, and support for persons with disabilities and their caregivers. There’s a wide gap in terms of knowledge, access to treatment, getting jobs, and being able to cope on the job without discrimination.

“There are also challenges with funding. It is not that we are asking them to beg for alms. Rather, we’re asking that persons with psychosocial disabilities be empowered to make their own daily living with as little stress as possible.”