‘My advocacy born out of bitter experiences’
Patience Ogolo-Dickson, founder, Advocacy for Women with Disabilities Initiative (AWWDI) in this interview with YetundeOladeinde, speaks on her organisation’s effort towards advancing the course of people living with disability as well as the experience and impact so far.
How would you describe the experience of people living with Disability in Nigeria at the moment?
People with disabilities have faced and are still facing long time barriers in the area of access to infrastructural facilities and services based on their disabilities in their different communities. These barriers have affected the way of life of this targeted community and also affected the way society sees them, especially from the standpoint of Sustainable Development and their contribution to the society.
What is your assessment ad expectations from the Disability Bill ?
This may depend on how it is viewed. My assessment may be on the way I look at it from what the government has been able to do to impact the lives of persons with disabilities and this may include the recently signed into law “Disability Bill,” which is the legal document recently being used as guide to promote and project issues of this targeted community. We will not forget all the other social, economic, political and other interventions and initiatives. The question is how are these initiatives and interventions accessible to persons with disabilities? Do they also capture their special needs or is disability or special needs mainstreamed into such programmes?
What inspired the founding of Advocacy for Women with Disabilities Initiative (AWWDI)?
Advocacy for Women with Disabilities Initiative (AWWDI) was born out of livid experiences and challenges. As a girl child and through adult life, living with disability has never been easy, and coping with all the barriers that associates with the impairment has been so tasking. At some point; I could see through all the disadvantages faced by women like myself and this was actually what prompted the idea of forming an organisation of women and girls with disabilities to advance and promote issues around them, considering their limitations
What are the opportunities and challenges?
AWWDI is a great opportunity to get the issues of this marginalised community in the space and connect with other organisations and stakeholders to gain a wider voice. Unfortunately, there are a lot of challenges like lack of access particularly in physical infrastructure and care, inaccessible policies and interventions, negative attitude and perceptions, the women not believing in themselves because many have low self-esteem. These are some of the opportunities and challenges.
Tell us some of your memorable experiences in the course of helping these women get a better future?
These include but not limited to: working with these great women to promote their rights, aspirations and bringing in the space our shared experiences, which is one of our strong weapons to change the narrative and situations around women and girls with disabilities. Some of our memorable events in almost fifteen years of working with AWWDI women and other organisations of women with disabilities has been in the form of training, advocacy and sensitisation; setting up of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) across the country, vocational skill acquisition and others.
What advise do you have for disabled women who are not part of your organisation?
They should try as much as possible to associate themselves with an organisation and align themselves with the mandate of ‘Leave No One Behind’, which relates to inclusion and mainstreaming, particularly of persons with disabilities.
What is your assessment of government support?
There is the need to make more accessible all government support, using some international and national guidelines which include the United Nations Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) and the Disability Bill.
What are some of the changes that you would like to see?
I will like to see a better future for the overall Disability Community, especially women and girls with disabilities. These can happen if we can change the way society thinks about people with disabilities; like changing mindsets, reducing stereotypes and myths which have continued to influence and shape the thinking of the communities, resulting in barriers faced by the group.
What are the other things that occupy your time?
Apart from my involvement with AWWDI, I also try as much as possible to relax with family and friends as a form of socialisation.
Let’s compare when you started and now, what are your memories and what was the driving force at the beginning?
I think things are better than they were before we started, considering that many people are now more aware and speaking to the issue. Hopefully, this will change the narrative and perceptions, translating into improved better living condition for the Disability Community.
What would you consider as the turning point for you?
The turning point for me was having the interest ignited by passion of my long time dream. Then moving from my training profession of accounting to my passion of social work and counselling.
What are some of the things that guide and motivate you?
My solid rock has always been in Almighty God and the strength that he has bestowed upon me. Above all; I will not forget the motivations and aspirations of our members giving us the strength and opportunity to push forward the affairs of women and girls with disabilities.
What advice do you have for Nigerian women?
All women, including women with disabilities, must work together to have a voice and continue to advance the rights and issues of all women. We must be united to make a big difference in the space.
What are some of the principles that guide what you do?
My guiding principle has always been the strength and values drawn from the Almighty.
What dreams did you have while growing up?
The truth is that I am trying to live according to my dreams because I have always wanted to be a social worker, impacting lives and contributing in my own little way to make a difference.
What lessons has life taught you?
My life lesson will be to know your purpose in life and touch a life today, no matter how small. This is because tomorrow may be too late.
No comments: