Women Affairs Ministry plans PWDs proper integration

The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Senator Aisha Jummai Allhassan has said persons with disabilities (PWDs) are agents of change and development in the country.
She said if these persons are properly integrated into the society, there will be much gain derived from every aspect including political, social, economic and cultural life.
Speaking in Abuja on Monday during the celebration to mark this year’s International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the Minister said: “Global focus on disability remained one of the major challenges that continually threatened human existence and the attainment of meaningful development.”
According to the Minister, the aim of the Ministry was to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well being of persons with disability.
“We also seek to increase awareness of gains to be derived from the integration of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life, to showcase and celebrate the contribution of these persons in Nigeria as agents of change and development”, she said.
At the event, presentations of some assisting devices were made to PWDs including tricycles, armpit/elbow crutches walking sticks and sound calculators.
The Minister also promised that: “empowerment tools such as sewing machines, grinding machines, generator sets, hair dressing saloon equipment and other aids will be distributed to empower other PWDs for self reliance.”
Senator Allhassan further used the opportunity to launch and an advocacy tagged “Disability and Etiquette Leaflet, a project of the Ministry with other stakeholders such as Daughters of Charity, MTN Foundation, Christoffel Blinden Mission, Sight Savers, Sir Osunde Foundation and Kpakpando Foundation among others.
In her earlier remarks, the permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mrs. Ifeoma Anagbogu said it has become a global realization that welfare of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) needs attention in every society as they are parts and parcel of family units which constitutes one of the most important social units of every community.
The Theme of this year’s celebration is “Transformation towards Sustainable and Resilient Society for All, do not leave anyone behind.”

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