FCT religious leaders urged to help end discrimination against people with disabilities

A non-governmental organisation, Disability Rights Advocacy Centre (DRAC), has called on religious leaders in the Federal Capital Territory to help end discrimination against persons with disabilities by preaching and practicing disability inclusion.  The executive director of the organisation, Irene Patrick-Ogbogu, made the call at a sensitisation programme for religious leaders on the challenges that people […]

A non-governmental organisation, Disability Rights Advocacy Centre (DRAC), has called on religious leaders in the Federal Capital Territory to help end discrimination against persons with disabilities by preaching and practicing disability inclusion. 

The executive director of the organisation, Irene Patrick-Ogbogu, made the call at a sensitisation programme for religious leaders on the challenges that people with disabilities face on a daily basis.

She said most stigma and misconception about disability have some religious roots, and therefore urged religious leaders to disabuse the notion that disability is a punishment from God.

Irene, who condemned the stigmatisation and discrimination of persons with disabilities in worship centres, said persons with disabilities were denied active participation in religious activities and showcasing of spiritual gifting because of their disabilities.

“We decided that we target the religious leaders because most stigma and misconception about disability have some religious roots. 

“This sensitisation programme is to interact and draw the attention of our religious leaders to the issues of stigma and violence against women and girls with disabilities and to forge partnership with them on how to address these issues from religious perspectives,” she said.

The State Coordinator, Deeper Life Campus Fellowship, FCT  Timothy Olusola Aiyedun, said the programme is an eye opener which will reflect in the sermon of the preachers and change the perception of the church members towards people with disabilities.

Ahmed Abdulsalami, the representative of the Islamic Youth League, condemned discrimination against people with disabilities and called for their inclusion in religious activities. 

The programme is part of activities by Disability Rights Adovcacy Center to stop violence against women and girls with disabilities funded by CBM and implemented by DRAC in collaboration with Project Alert, Lagos.