PWDs Commend INEC For Creating Women And Inclusivity Department

By Matthew Ogune, Abuja

The Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) have commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the creation of the Gender and Inclusivity Department (GID) for the purpose of proactive and effective implementation of programmes and activities that address issues of critical concern to women, persons with disabilities and other marginalized groups in Nigeria electoral process.

According to CCD Executive Director, David Anyaele, the creation of the department means that women and persons with disabilities issue would be represented by a senior official of director cadre at the highest INEC policy table, unlike in the past where issues of women and persons with disabilities were squeezed under Voter Education and Publicity (VEP) department of INEC with limited opportunity for presentation of issues of concern to women and persons with disabilities.

Anyaele maintained that the creation of the new department for women and inclusivity is an evidence of INEC commitment for the implementation of their policy on Framework on Access and Participation of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in the Electoral Process, adding that part of the objectives of the framework is to strengthen the Commission as an institution that is inclusive in its human and financial resources as well as in its practices and process.

He said: “We are pleased to note that INEC has renewed its commitment to proactively communicate its policies and programmes to the Nigerian people and effectively engaging and mainstreaming of persons with disabilities and other marginalized groups in the electoral process.

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“We wish to reiterate CCD commitment towards supporting INEC measure on enhancing Access and Participation of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in the Electoral Process, through our program on Equal Voting Access for persons with disabilities by generating and sharing of evidence for inclusive electoral process free from discrimination on the grounds of disabilities.”