The Nigerian Red Cross Society has distributed dignity kits to 110 women of reproductive age and girls with disabilities in Nasarawa.

The engagement and kits distribution was done with support from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent.

Fatima Ibrahim-Nasir, the director of Protection, Gender, Inclusion and Education, NRCS Abuja, on Thursday said the engagement was to identify with and encourage persons with disabilities.

She said the dignity kits distributed to the PWDs contained essential items for women and young women of reproductive age. The items included soap, reusable sanitary pads, detergents, disinfectants, body creams, and flip-flops.

Lilian Adeogba, the senior community engagement accountability officer at IFRC, supporting Protection, Gender, and Inclusion, noted that the programme for PWDs was part of IFRC’s operation under its Capacity Building Fund to show inclusiveness and ensure that no one was left behind.

Ms Adeogba pointed out that the essence of the event was to ensure that their needs were prioritised and that the voices of persons affected with special needs were involved in the operations of the IFRC through the NRCS.

She said the quest for the partnership with PWDs had led to engagement with several stakeholders, including the Persons with Disabilities Rights Commission in Nasarawa.

Jerry Kuje, NRCS’s secretary in Nasarawa, said the beneficiaries were drawn from different communities devoid of ethnic and religious leaning. He said this was in line with the organisation’s principle of inclusivity, community engagement, and accountability.

Saleh Keana, the chairman of the Nasarawa State Disabilities Rights Commission, thanked NRCS for the recognition and gesture. He noted that PWDs have been agitating for inclusion over the years, and the move by NRCS was commendable.

Mr Keana, therefore, appealed to spirited individuals and organisations to always assist the vulnerable and PWD in ameliorating their plight.

(NAN)