The Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CDD) has called for an urgent amendment of the Oyo State Persons Living with Disability (PLWD) Law 2017 to ensure more inclusiveness.
CDD made the call in Ibadan during a workshop it organised to review the law, identify gaps and recommend reforms for better rights protection of People with Disabilities (PWDs).
The workshop brought together PWDs, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).
Representing Spaces for Change, Mr Testimony Omole argued that the name PLWD was discriminatory, non-compliant with global standards and not disability-sensitive, stressing the need to replace it with PWDs.
He added that the provisions of the law on freedom of association and assembly were weak, calling for reforms that would guarantee PWDs more inclusive civic participation.
NHRC Coordinator in Oyo State, Mr Abayomi Ogundele, identified the law’s weak enforcement as a major gap, urging the government to demonstrate the political will to prosecute violators of disability rights.
Ogundele, however, called for strict compliance with all existing laws before any further amendment, assuring that NHRC would collaborate with stakeholders to achieve meaningful outcomes.
Mr Femi Ajulo, Oyo State Chairman, Joint National Association of Persons with Disability (JONAPWD), regretted the impeded access of PWDs to education, rights and opportunities due to the law’s slow implementation.
Ajulo, represented by Mr Raheem Olatunji, noted that accessibility to public infrastructure remained very low, calling on the state government to ensure inclusiveness for all categories of PWDs.
An independent consultant, Dr Toyin Aderemi-Balogun, pointed out the absence of gender considerations in the law, noting that women with disabilities face unique challenges that must be addressed through policy reforms.
She also called for stronger provisions on disaster response and transportation, stressing that PWDs must be protected during emergencies, recovery and in accessing mobility.
CDD Project Officer, Mrs Christiana Njoku, stated that the organisation would embark on advocacy visits to the Oyo State House of Assembly to secure amendments of identified gaps.
Njoku explained that the existing law did not align with the United Nations Convention, especially regarding rights to association and protection against discrimination.
According to her, the ultimate goal is to secure a disability law that guarantees fairness, inclusiveness, and dignity, while ensuring PWDs enjoy full benefits under the law.
CCD organised the workshop in partnership with the Action Group on Free Civic Space and Funds for Global Human Rights.
