By Collins Yakubu-Hammer
The Inclusive Skills Development Initiative (ISDI), a non-governmental organisation (NGO), has called on governments at all levels and stakeholders to address the challenges facing women with disabilities in Nigeria.
ISDI’s Executive Director, Angelina Ugben, made the call at a news conference on Thursday in Abuja.
Ugben underscored the need for an enabling environment, particularly for economic activities involving women with disabilities.
The conference had the theme, “Empowering Change: Unveiling the Findings and Breaking Barriers for Inclusive Trade,
.It was organised by ISDI in collaboration with the Joint National Association of People with Disabilities (JONAPWD) and sponsored by the MacArthur Foundation.
Ugben explained that the theme was centered on the findings of the research “Breaking Barriers: Promoting Gender-Inclusive Trade and Business Opportunities for Women with Disabilities in Abuja.”
“This research is a deep dive into the systemic challenges and untapped potential of women with disabilities in the trade and business sectors.
“It is more than a report—it is a clarion call to action for all of us to champion a more inclusive and equitable economic future,” she said.
According to her, women with disabilities represent a vital segment of society whose contributions to trade, entrepreneurship, and economic growth have been largely overlooked.
“Their exclusion is not just a social injustice but an economic oversight that Nigeria can no longer afford.
“This study highlights the barriers they face, celebrates their resilience, and provides a roadmap for change,” Ugben added.
Ugben listef some of the challenges to include socio-cultural stigma and discrimination and financial constraints.
“Other challenges are limited educational and training opportunities, policy gaps, physical barriers, technological barriers etc.”
She urged stakeholders, governments at all levels, and policymakers to consider these findings and implement solutions that would foster economic inclusion for women with disabilities.
She stressed the urgency of action, advocating for inclusive policies, collaboration, breaking the cycle of stigma, accountability, and tracking the progress of policies and programmes.
“The findings paint a clear picture—women with disabilities have immense potential to transform our economy and society, yet they face serious hurdles.
“This research serves as a roadmap for change and a call to dismantle barriers, seize opportunities, and build an inclusive future,” she said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that among the stakeholders included the National Women Leader of National Association of the Deaf, Fasasi Monsutrat and the Administrator at IDSI, Nnenna Ucheya.
Others were Perpetua Anyanwu, Aguguo Sophia Chimuanya, Pogramme Lead of RACE Africa, Evelyn Ugbe and acting National Coordinator of Advocacy for Women with Disabilities Initiative, Bilikisu Yakubu.NAN)