Osun Governor's Wife Calls For Empowerment For Disabled Women

Empowerment of women with disabilities has been described as an essential key for achieving an all inclusive society.

Wife of Osun State Governor, Titilola Adeleke affirmed this at the second edition of the Osun State Deaf Women Association Summit in Osogbo.

Adeleke who explained that all women, irrespective of their challenges, play vital role in the socio-economic development of the society held that they should should be treated equally.

"Women with disabilities need to be recognised as individuals who enjoy the same rights as others.

"That is why it is important to identify with these women so that they can know that we feel their pains and to assure them of the present administration's support", she stated.

While calling on stakeholders and philanthropists to join hands with government to better the lots of women with disabilities, Adeleke advised parents and guardians of physically challenged children to make it a priority to enroll them into a special needs school.

According to her, this will enable them to be prepared for a better future since disability should not be taken as a barrier to good education.

In her welcome address, the Chairperson Osun State Deaf Women Association, Rasidat Lawal pointed out that the theme for the summit, which aligned with the International Women Day theme was, 'Innovation and Technology for Gender Quality: Embrace Equality'.

"There is no gainsaying that women, especially deaf women, need to be fully carried along in collective efforts to ensure technological innovation for all.

"All hands must be on deck to run an all inclusive programmes cum policy thrust by ensuring that the peculiar needs of deaf women are taken into consideration and integrated into all technological innovation interventions programmes at Federal, State and Local Government levels."

She commended Governor Ademola Adeleke for the ongoing review of Osun State Disability Bill which she observed, when passed will be of great benefits to them.

The Chairperson, Osun State Deaf Centre, Ugwu Olaniyi Agatha emphasized on closing the digital gender gap and empowering deaf women to tackle inequalities.

While explaining that digital gender gap is a real issue that needs to be addressed urgently, Agatha pointed out that women are underrepresented in the technology industry.

This she said is reflected in the lower number of female students studying computer science.

"Deaf women also face a unique set of challenges in accessing digital technology. Closing the digital gap for deaf women is not just an aspiration but a crucial step towards building an inclusive and equitable future."