FAME foundation was established to solicit, encourage and advance the social, emotional and economic wellbeing of women and girls as well as formulate programmes within the framework of national development plan with a view to enhancing the participation of women and advocate for gender parity in the society.
FAME foundation firmly believe that the entire nation, businesses, communities and groups can benefit from the implementation of programs and policies that adopt the notion of women empowerment.
Report on Outreach for International Day of Persons with Disabilities at the FCT Disable Emirate Council, Karonmajigi
On December 3, 2024, FAME Foundation under its HerSTEM Initiative, organized an outreach program to commemorate the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD). The event, held at the FCT Disable Emirate Council, aimed to raise awareness of disability rights, empower persons with disabilities (PWDs), and inspire them to advocate for their rights and inclusion in society. The event brought together 50 participants (15 men and 35 women).
The event began with an introduction by Ms. Inyene Idiong, who expressed her gratitude to the FCT Disable Emirate Council for their partnership and reiterated the importance of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. She also introduced FAME Foundation to the participants and emphasized its commitment to educating and empowering women and girls.
Ms. Oluwatomisin Akinbowa, Project Officer, HerSTEM Initiative, followed up with an introduction to the HerSTEM Initiative and emphasized the objectives of the project to empower women and girls living with disabilities with STEM skills. She reiterated the need for awareness and education to create more opportunities for Persons Living with Disabilities.
Our keynote speaker, Ms. Simbiat Amzat, a journalist, delivered an impactful session on the topic, “Speaking Up for Your Rights.” Ms. Simbiat spoke to the participants on self-advocacy and the role of people in ensuring their rights are respected. She shared valuable insights into the legal frameworks protecting PWDs, such as the Disability Rights Bill, and explained how these laws are designed to ensure accessibility, equality, and protection from discrimination. She ended by encouraging them to speak out for their rights equality and social justice.
The program ended with an interactive session where participants had the opportunity to ask questions related to disability rights, advocacy strategies, and personal experiences in overcoming challenges. The interactive session promoted open dialogue, with many participants sharing their stories and sharing policies that they would like to see put in place by the government to protect their rights.
Some participants shared instances of discrimination or scenarios where they had been belittled or overlooked because of their disability. One of the instances shared was a situation where the participant was not attended to when she went to the hospital for treatment because of her disability on the assumption that she would not be able to cover her fees. These scenarios highlight the need to advocate for an end to discrimination against persons with disabilities.
The outreach program successfully highlighted the importance of speaking up for one’s rights, offering the PWD community valuable tools, knowledge, and inspiration to be proactive in advocating for a more inclusive and just society.