Over 22.5m Nigerian women living with disabilities, says Association

By Ese Awhotu
Deaf Women Association of Nigeria disclosed yesterday that 22.5 million Nigeria women are living with disabilities, even as it called on President Goodluck Jonathan to urgently, sign into law the disabilities bill as his fatherly gift to them.
The Association spoke through its Chairperson, Abuja chapter, Mrs Helen Beyioku-Alase at a one day workshop/seminar on “DEAF WOMEN AND HEALTH AWARENESS” held at the Cyprian Ekwensi Centre for Arts and Culture in Abuja.
“We are appealing to our President,Goodluck Jonathan to sign disabilities bill into law as his fatherly gift to more than 22.5 million people living with disabilities in Nigeria”
Beyioku-Alase explained that the rising growth in the number of deaf women in Abuja has given rise to the pressing needs of catering for ourselves, especially the less privileged ones. She said, “It is in this respect that Deaf Women Association of Nigeria, Abuja chapter has decided to use the opportunity of the2014 International day of persons with disabilities to sensitize the government and the society of the issues that affect us”
While the Association listed several challenges they are facing, Peoples Daily gathered that a deaf pregnant woman died last year due to the absence of sign language and interpreters, especially in hospitals across the country.