Abuja: A Non-Governmental Organisation, Inclusion Friends Association (IFA), on Wednesday called for the inclusion of Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) in drafting and implementation of the National Digital Literacy Framework (NDLF). The Executive Director of IFA, Grace Jerry, made the call at a Media Roundtable on Digital Literacy for Women and Girls with Disabilities, organised by IFA with support from Rise Up and the Public Health Institute in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, IFA is an organisation that promotes the rights of Persons With Disabilities (PWDs), using data to address the inclusion and participation challenges of over 30 million PWDs in Nigeria through advocacy, training, and research. Grace Jerry, the Executive Director, emphasized that incorporating PWDs in the NDLF is crucial to ensure their specific needs are considered alongside other marginalized groups to foster inclusivity.
Jerry highlighted that the media roundtable was organized to address the urgent necessity of including women and girls with disabilities in the NDLF 2023 framework. She stressed the importance of equitable access to digital tools and opportunities in the digital age, noting that it is essential rather than optional. The ultimate goal is to secure an addendum to the NDLF 2023, explicitly incorporating digital literacy for women and girls with disabilities, by August 2025, with the endorsement of the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).
To achieve this aim, IFA is building a coalition of stakeholders, including policymakers, civil society organizations, and the media, to drive awareness and advocacy. Jerry mentioned that evidence-based insights, stories, and media coverage would be utilized to underline the importance of inclusion. She also noted the media’s significant role in shaping public discourse and influencing policy changes by amplifying the voices of marginalized groups through their platforms and stories.
Mr. Festus Okpeh, Lead Researcher of IFA, provided an analysis of stakeholder involvement in the NDLF drafting and implementation. He noted that out of the 113 members involved, none represented the disability community. The composition included 22 members from government organizations, 15 from development partners and technology companies, two from a technical working group, and 74 from implementing partners. Okpeh emphasized the need to include organizations like the National Commission for Persons With Disabilities and other PWDs organizations for inclusive purposes.
Safiya Bichi, a facilitator speaking on the topic ‘Media Role in Advocacy for Digital Inclusion,’ underscored the importance of equitable access to digital technologies and the internet. She called on the media to advocate for digital inclusion by raising awareness, educating the public, and influencing policy, highlighting the necessity of the media roundtable.
Tracy Onabis, Programme Officer at IFA, commented on the NDLF as a crucial tool for enhancing digital skills in Nigeria. She stressed the importance of including the disability community due to growing concerns over their exclusion. Onabis pointed out a gap in the NDLF framework, which generalizes terms such as vulnerable, marginalized, and underserved without specific mention of PWDs. She warned that implementing the framework without consulting and involving persons with disabilities would be a blatant disregard for the disability community.