Sightsavers Tasks Journalists on Promoting Disability Rights, Inclusive Development

By Ladan Nasidi,Kano

Sightsavers Nigeria has called on journalists across the country to take a more active role in promoting disability rights, amplifying the voices of marginalised communities and advancing inclusive development.

The Country Director of Sightsavers Nigeria, Joy Shuaibu, made the call on Tuesday during a media engagement in Kano, where she urged journalists to leverage their platforms to influence public attitudes, challenge discrimination and promote the rights of persons with disabilities.

Shuaibu emphasised that the media has a critical responsibility to ensure that the concerns, experiences and aspirations of underserved communities receive adequate attention in public discourse.

She challenged journalists to go beyond conventional news reporting by using their professional influence to expose barriers to inclusion, challenge discriminatory practices and advocate equal opportunities for persons with disabilities.

According to her, effective media advocacy has the potential to shape public perceptions, influence policy decisions and strengthen demands for government accountability in implementing disability-inclusive programmes.

She said: “The media has a critical role to play in ensuring that the voices, concerns and aspirations of marginalised communities, particularly persons with disabilities, are heard and reflected in public discourse.”

The engagement also explored ways journalists could contribute to ensuring that policies and interventions designed to address the challenges facing persons with disabilities produce meaningful, measurable and sustainable improvements in their lives.

Shuaibu further underscored the need for development programmes, particularly donor-funded interventions, to deliver lasting impact beyond their initial implementation periods.

She noted that such initiatives should establish sustainable structures and strengthen national systems capable of supporting the long-term inclusion and participation of persons with disabilities.

“Disability inclusion should not be treated as a temporary intervention. It requires sustainable commitments, stronger institutions and continued efforts to ensure that persons with disabilities enjoy equal opportunities,” she said.

The Sightsavers Country Director also called for stronger collaboration between development organisations and media practitioners to maintain public attention on disability-related issues.

She stressed that persons with disabilities must not only benefit from development programmes but should also be actively involved in decisions and policies that affect their lives.

The engagement forms part of broader efforts to strengthen media participation in disability advocacy, promote inclusive reporting and ensure that disability rights remain an important issue in Nigeria’s development agenda.