\n\nAbeokuta — The Centre for Women Health and Information (CEWHIN), a non-governmental organisation, has launched a Technical Action and Sustainability Plan (TASP) aimed at ending violence against women with disabilities in Ogun State.
The TASP was developed by CEWHIN in collaboration with key stakeholders in Ogun State, with support from the African Women Development Fund.
The launch event, held at Continental Suites in Abeokuta, brought together a wide range of stakeholders, including the Joint National Association of People Living With Disabilities (JONAPWD), the Justice Development and Peace Commission (JDPC), the Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Community Development Associations, the Ministry of Women Affairs, and the Ministry of Justice.
A Structured Framework to Address Vulnerability
In her introductory remarks, CEWHIN’s Senior Programmes Officer, Julia Afachung, explained that the TASP was developed to provide a structured, collaborative, and sustainable framework for ending sexual violence against women with disabilities in Ogun State.
Afachung noted that women with disabilities face heightened vulnerability to sexual violence due to systemic discrimination, inaccessibility of services, stigma, and institutional gaps in prevention and response systems.
“The TASP was developed as a practical and actionable roadmap to address these barriers and strengthen coordinated action across sectors within the state,” she said.
She further disclosed that CEWHIN had previously developed similar Technical Action and Sustainability Plans in Osun and Lagos States, which successfully strengthened collaboration and coordinated action among organisations in those states.
Participatory Development Process
According to Afachung, the development of the plan followed an evidence-based and participatory process. This included a situational analysis of existing prevention and response systems in Ogun State, advocacy engagements with government and institutional stakeholders, and a multi-sectoral consultative forum.
Stakeholders also conducted a SWOT analysis of institutional responses and identified critical gaps affecting women with disabilities.
“The outcome is a shared framework with clearly defined roles, responsibilities, and performance indicators to guide implementation,” she added.
An Implementation Roadmap, Not Just a Policy
Speaking at the launch, the facilitator and President of the Education, Gender and Family Network, Professor Helen Bodunde, emphasised that the TASP is not merely a policy document but an implementation roadmap grounded in collective commitment.
Prof. Bodunde disclosed that stakeholders have proposed a structured review of the TASP’s action plan at three months and six months after launch to ensure effective implementation.
Concerns Over Ogun State’s Disability Law
During the event, stakeholders expressed concern that Ogun State has yet to operationalise a functional Disability Law.
Responding, the Director of Legal Drafting at the Ogun State Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Motunrayo Oniyide, explained that the law was passed and signed before the current administration. She noted that, like other state laws, it would undergo review as part of an upcoming exercise to amend several laws.
Oniyide stated that after the amendment process, the laws would be sent to the House of Assembly for passage and subsequently to the governor for assent.
She promised to discuss stakeholders’ concerns with the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, as well as the Permanent Secretary and Solicitor General of the State.
Stakeholders Applaud CEWHIN’s Efforts
Stakeholders at the event commended CEWHIN for its ongoing activities aimed at ending Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and improving the welfare of women, particularly those with disabilities.
