The president of Deaf Women Association of Nigeria, (DWAN) Hellen Beyioku-Alase has said that unifying all Deaf women in Nigeria would be one of her mission as it would improve the welfare her members.

Madam Beyioku-Alase who is also the founder of Deaf Women Aloud Initiative revealed her tasks and targets for DWAN admitted that “Deaf women face a lot in terms of lack of accessible health care, poor access to communication, lack of access to sexual and reproductive health rights, domestic violence, sexual and gender based violence, etc.

All these have been challenging for the deaf woman in Nigeria. We should bear in mind too, that whatever challenges society face, deaf women face twice. So tackling these challenges will be our major priority.”

Beyioku-Alase, through her NGO, is known as a forefront advocate of better life for Deaf women within the FCT and some States of the country. Her areas of focus are accessible healthcare services, Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV), Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR), inclusion, empowerment, advocacy and awareness creation, etc. She is sometimes able to secure grants to carry out these projects for Deaf women.

With the new challenges set ahead of her, the new DWAN president hopes to leverage on her wealth of experiences to do more for Deaf women across the Federation with good partnership and support.

Hellen pleads for unity and cooperation amongst members of the association across Nigeria.

“I will continue to plead for unity and cooperation amongst all Deaf women across Nigeria, I will also in my capacity, mend bridges and try my best to unify all deaf women across Nigeria.

“I will also ask them, especially State Chair-persons to work hard in their capacities for the unity of State EXCOS to allow for smooth operations of DWAN. I wish also, at this juncture, to let everyone of them know that my presidency will be of benefit to everyone. Everybody will be carried along.”

Madam Beyioku-Alase vowed to be honest and transparent in her dealings with the association and its partners.

Talking about DWAN’s partners, Madam Beyioku-Alase says: “I want them to know that DWAN wouldn’t have done much without their help. DWAN truly appreciates their efforts in this struggle and plead with them to continue supporting DWAN in order to build an inclusive world where no one is left behind.”

Credit: inclusivenews.com.ng