The Media Action for Minority Inclusion (MAMI) held a roundtable on August 9, 2024, gathering experts in disability and social protection to address the exclusion of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) from Nigeria's social protection policies. The discussion centered on how poor targeting and planning have failed to provide adequate support for Nigeria's disability community, which is a significant portion of the vulnerable population.
In a statement made available to Inclusive reporters, the event was held online I'm 9th August,2024.
Key figures, including the Senior Special Adviser on Disability and Equality to the Presidency, Abba Issa Mohammed, attributed the issues to leadership failures. However, other experts, like Theophilus Adawodu from the Disability Rights Fund, argued that the government needs to demonstrate stronger political will and intentionality in supporting PWDs.
Panelists highlighted the lack of disability inclusion in policy formulation and the competition among government agencies, which hampers effective policy implementation. They also discussed the importance of technology in improving communication and data collection for PWDs and criticized the exclusionary nature of current health insurance policies.
The roundtable resulted in five action plans, including the creation of committees across government agencies, inclusion training, developing operational manuals, and establishing a feedback mechanism. These plans aim to ensure better targeting and inclusion of PWDs in social protection policies.
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