The Deaf Women Association of Nigeria (DWAN) has advocated for the provision of sign language interpreters and visual aids in hospitals to facilitate access to healthcare.

DWAN president Helen Beyioku-Alase made the call at the second National Deaf Women Summit held on Tuesday in Abuja.

Ms Beyioku-Alase also called for the development of digital healthcare tools that cater to deaf individuals.

Mr Beyioku-Alase said it was also high time that laws and policies recognised deaf women and girls’ contribution to unpaid care.

According to her, public policies should enforce the provision of accessible healthcare, ensuring deaf women’s rights are upheld and that they can access quality healthcare without discrimination.

She said although much progress has been made in the upward mobility of deaf women nationwide and in raising awareness of their rights, some barriers still exist.

Mr Beyioku-Alase said that through empowerment, the event aims to cultivate resilience, leadership, and advocacy to ensure deaf women are heard, respected, and included in conversations.

She said these were around key assets such as gender-based violence, sexual and reproductive health, leadership development, and strategic governance.

Also speaking, Lawrence Idemudia, the acting director of the Social Integration Department at the National Disability Commission, commended DWAN for putting together the summit aimed at amplifying the voices of deaf women and girls.

Mr Idemudia added that the commission empowers persons with disabilities and has equipped deaf women with skills and businesses in some areas.

(NAN)