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Monday 24 August 2015

“PEOPLE LIVING WITH DISABILITY ARE NOT LESS HUMAN”… Kayode Gomes





According to WHO-2011, an estimated 1 billion people, or 15% of the world’s population, have a disability; 10% of an affected population [by disaster] will develop serious psychological trauma. 80% of people with disabilities live in developing countries, and there, make up 20% of the poorest of the poor, living on less than $1 a day.

From statistics/headcount about 22 million Nigerians live with one form of disability or the other. Some disability conditions are from birth, some through disaster/accident, and others by polio. Disability is just as much or more about how society puts up barriers that exclude and disadvantage people with impairments by not recognizing their rights, needs and potentials. These barriers include poverty, lack of education, gender, religion, age, social stigma and geographic isolation.

The changes need to be brought from the policy level which was part of the bill recently passed by the National assembly of Nigeria to make every public institutions accessible to the people living with disabilities, develop education materials for the people with disabilities and make it accessible to them, make provisions for their independent living in the community as well as support need to be provided by other funding bodies as well the government entity. Also, a social culture should be developed, that accept every individual in the society equally without discriminating in any of the ways.

For children living with disability, every day is a struggle. The multitude of barriers limiting their access to education and the weight of what other say about their condition are obstacles to their well-being and fulfillment. No matter what physical or mental condition the children are living with, they all are entitled to an environment that will promote their development – whether to go to school to learn about cultural activities or to have fun. Health care interventions, education, rehabilitation and sustainable livelihood development are the aspects to be taken care of.

Disability does not define any human; the only disability is one refusal to adapt”… Sean Stephenson

People with disability are not less human; they deserve every good thing of life and special treatment. They should be given the opportunity to participate, adapt, inclusive in policies and the basic things of life. Stop discriminating and keeping them in isolation, give them a chance; you will see the ability in them and wonders of God.

Love every human being no matter their condition, status, religion, beliefs and sexuality, because you are not better off and we are all created by God”…Kayode Gomes

If you think you are better than a person living with disability; Try being blind for a day.

Reference

World Health Organization (WHO)

Friday 21 August 2015

Following the visit of President Buhari to the United States, The Coalition for the Defense of Sexual Rights (CDSR) feels it imperative to address the issues emanating from this visit, especially in light of the Same Sex Marriage Prohibition Act and the passage of the American Marriage Equality Act.




Speaking on behalf of the Coalition, Kayode Gomes in an interview with Idris Deutsche Wella Germany in Abuja notes; CDSR appreciate our beloved President for the steps his making towards positive change in our dear country Nigeria. As human rights defenders we are not pleased that the issue of SSMPA was not discussed during the President’s visit to USA. In this light, it will be imperative that we distance ourselves between the issues of human rights protections and the gay marriage, especially as America now celebrates gay marriages as part of the legal system. Our concerns are not issues for the celebration and solemnization of gay marriages but that the fundamental and constitutional rights of all Nigerians are protected irrespective of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Mr. President’s statement saying ‘sodomy is against the Nigeria law and beliefs was not a face to face discussion with President Obama as publicized by the president’s spokesman. And if this particular topic is not important to Nigerians, why is it topping the headlines?


The Coalition for the Defense of Sexual Rights continues to assert the Same Sex Marriage Prohibition Act 2013 as infringing on the constitutional right of Nigerians who identify as LGBT and those who are allies including organization’s carrying out HIV prevention programming. What are highlighted through the legality of the Same Sex Marriage Prohibition Act are the continued violations of the human rights of the Nigerian people. This the Nigerian nation does not need in the 21st century. Criminalization does not in any way address the issue but compound social problem that we face as a nation and as a community within the nation. We feel the effect of this criminalization and stigmatization in the areas of health, safety and security. And these are our agitations not marriages.


So therefore, we urge that the President hears the agitations of Civil Society’s around the issues of human rights protections as we currently have in the country. As a coalition we know that it is necessary that we review laws that aids and strengthen the abuse of human and peoples’ rights by both state and non-state actors. For us, the issues are not just LGBT issues but HUMAN issues. And that means a developmental issue.


The change that we call for is not one of legalizing marriage between same sex oriented persons. But change that reflects that the constitutional and fundamental freedoms of all Nigerians will be respected in accordance with International laws and treaties to which we are signatory as a country.