… Says systemic barriers still limit opportunities
The Beyond Limit Initiative for Women and Girls with Disabilities has called for urgent systemic reforms to ensure full inclusion, protection and economic empowerment of women with disabilities in Nigeria.
The group made the call in a statement issued by the Executive Director of the Beyond Limit Initiative, Oluwatomisin Adeyefa Olatayo, on Sunday in Abeokuta, Ogun State, to commemorate the 2026 International Women’s Day.
Olatayo urged government and other stakeholders to move beyond symbolic celebrations and implement policies that guarantee equal opportunities.
Under the theme, “Count Us In: Breaking Barriers, Beyond Limit,” she stressed that gender equality would remain incomplete if women with disabilities continue to face discrimination and exclusion.
She noted that many women with disabilities suffer what she described as “double discrimination” — gender bias and societal prejudice against persons living with disabilities.
According to her, meaningful inclusion requires structural frameworks that prioritise the rights, safety and economic independence of women and girls with disabilities.
She said the organisation remained committed to advancing socio-economic empowerment for women with disabilities through vocational training, financial literacy programmes and access to equitable employment opportunities.
She also emphasised the need to strengthen protection mechanisms against gender-based violence, noting that women and girls with disabilities often face heightened risks of abuse and exploitation.
Olatayo in the statement further called for accessible justice systems and specialised support services, particularly in addressing digital safety concerns.
She urged both government and the private sector to adopt inclusive governance frameworks that allow women with disabilities to participate actively in policy formulation and decision-making processes.
She said the principle of “Nothing About Us Without Us” should guide policies affecting persons with disabilities.
She also advocated improved access to reproductive healthcare and information for women with disabilities, stressing their right to make informed decisions about their reproductive health without coercion or discrimination.
The Executive Director of the Beyond Limit Initiative, said the organisation was committed to dismantling barriers that hinder the full participation of women with disabilities in society.
She said, “International Women’s Day reminds us that the change required is not in the individual but in the environment around them.
“Our goal is to build a society where the potential of every girl and woman with a disability is recognised as a vital asset to national development.”
She urged governments, civil society groups and international partners to translate advocacy into concrete actions that promote the inclusion and empowerment of women and girls with disabilities.
The Beyond Limit Initiative is a non-governmental organisation based in Ogun State focused on empowering women and girls with disabilities through advocacy, capacity building and policy engagement aimed at ensuring access to education, economic opportunities and social protection.
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