The Disability Rights Advocacy Center, DRAC, has urged Nigerian media to spotlight sexual and reproductive health rights, SRHR, for women and girls with disabilities.
Speaking during a breakfast meeting in Abuja, Executive Director, DRAC, Dr. Irene Patrick-Ogbogu, called attention to the obstacles these women face, including inadequate healthcare facilities, limited trained personnel, and societal stigma
Patrick-Ogbogu, emphasized the challenges that women with disabilities face in accessing SRHR services, including inadequate healthcare facilities, lack of trained personnel, and societal stigma.
“The portrayal and partnership of the media can significantly change the narrative for these women, fostering a society that respects their rights and needs,” she noted.
DRAC’s Programme Officer, Balqis Amoo, underscored the organization’s goal of creating a structured framework for impactful media advocacy on SRHR issues affecting women and girls with disabilities.
Amoo highlighted DRAC’s longstanding efforts, including a key policy in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health, which is currently under review to improve its effectiveness.
Founded in 2009, DRAC has been a pioneering force in disability rights advocacy in Nigeria.
She highlighted that the organization collaborates with both national and international bodies to foster a just, inclusive society. With programs focusing on human rights, access to healthcare, and social welfare, DRAC’s core values of transparency, inclusion, and dignity remain central to its mission.
As the event concluded, DRAC urged media professionals to use their platforms to highlight the struggles and resilience of women with disabilities.
“By elevating these issues, the media can help combat stigma and drive meaningful policy changes that support a more inclusive society,” Balqis said.
