By Lanre Oloyede
In a significant move towards promoting inclusivity and empowerment, the Director General/CEO of the National Center for Women Development (NCWD), Honorable Dr. Asabe Villta Bashir, met with the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, Hon. Mohammed Abba Isa at his office.
The meeting focused on potential collaborations to achieve mutual objectives in supporting women with disabilities.
During the strategic session, both leaders emphasized the importance of identifying common goals and exploring partnership opportunities. They discussed resource mobilization strategies, policy advocacy, and capacity-building efforts to enhance their impact.
Recognizing the potential synergies between their mandates, the DG/CEO and SSA deliberated on ways to leverage their respective networks and expertise to create inclusive opportunities for women with disabilities.
The NCWD, mandated to promote gender training, capacity building, research, and documentation, focuses on addressing the concerns of Nigerian women. This aligns with the SSA’s mandate to advocate for the inclusion of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) by integrating their needs into national policies and programs.
“Our mission at NCWD is to promote gender equity and sustainable development for all women, including those with disabilities,” said Dr. Asabe Villta Bashir.
Speaking, the SSA to the President noted that with the collaboration between NCWD and the SSA’s office, we can enhance our efforts to ensure that women with disabilities have equal access to opportunities and resources.
The Presidential aide added that inclusion is not just a policy, but a necessity.
“We are committed to advocating for the rights of Persons with Disabilities and integrating their perspectives into all facets of government policies and programs. This collaboration with NCWD is a vital step towards achieving our shared goals,” the presidential aide stated.
Key areas of collaboration discussed included access to education, healthcare, economic empowerment, and social inclusion for women with disabilities. Both parties highlighted the importance of engaging with relevant government agencies (MDAs) and development partners to maximize impact and reach.
The meeting marked a significant step towards fostering strategic partnerships to advance the rights and opportunities for women with disabilities. By working together, the NCWD and the SSA’s office are committed to developing programs that address the unique challenges faced by women with disabilities, ultimately fostering sustainable development and empowerment.
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