Education
Journalists enlightened on ways to promote disability-inclusive climate reporting – EnviroNews
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Nigeria has about 35 million people with disabilities, many of whom face increased risks during climate-related calamities such as flooding, drought, and desertification. According to the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), which employed the Washington Group Short Set of Questions, 11-12% of girls aged 15 and up were found to have at least one functional impairment.
Journalists and key stakeholders have received specialised training on disability-inclusive climate reporting as part of efforts to improve public understanding of how climate change disproportionately affects persons with disabilities in Nigeria.
The training, organised by the Inclusive Friends Association (IFA) with support from Rise Up Together, brought together more than 10 media professionals and stakeholders in Abuja. The initiative focused on equipping journalists with the knowledge and skills needed to produce accurate, inclusive, and people-centred reporting on climate-related issues affecting women and girls with disabilities.
Despite existing legal protections for persons with disabilities, speakers at the event noted that gaps remain in the implementation of disability rights. They highlighted limited participation of Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) in climate planning and early warning systems, as well as insufficient inclusion in disaster preparedness and response efforts. These challenges are particularly significant in climate-vulnerable regions such as the Niger-Benue flood basin, Nigeria’s coastal communities, and areas affected by desertification in the North-East.
The training formed part of the stakeholder policy dialogue on disability-inclusive climate action, with a special focus on media engagement. The organisers said strengthening media capacity is essential to ensuring that climate reporting reflects the experiences and needs of persons with disabilities and supports informed public discourse.
Addressing participants, Grace Jerry, Executive Director of the Inclusive Friends Association, said the engagement was designed to strengthen accurate reporting on disability issues and foster long-term collaboration between journalists, organisations of persons with disabilities, and disability rights advocates.
The event also featured a technical presentation by Dr Kehinde Ogunbiyitan, who examined Nigeria’s international commitments on disability inclusion and climate action. His presentation highlighted the country’s pledges made during the 2018 and 2022 Global Disability Summits, the Paris Agreement, the 2015 Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, and the links between Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 13 on climate action and SDG 10 on reduced inequalities.
During another session, Rifkatu Joseph Odeyemi, founder of Eco-friendly Sensitisation and Advocacy, emphasised the media’s responsibility to report climate and disability issues with accuracy, dignity, and inclusion.
She noted that although climate change affects everyone, its impacts are not experienced equally and often place greater burdens on persons with disabilities. She encouraged journalists to work closely with disability-inclusive organisations, government agencies, civil society organisations, and community actors to improve the quality of reporting and ensure that diverse experiences are represented.
Odeyemi also stressed the importance of using dignified, person-first language in media coverage.
“It is important to dignify persons with disabilities by using the phrase ‘individuals’ before the type of disability. For instance, it is not ‘albino’ but ‘persons with albinism’. It is not ‘blind people’ but ‘persons with visual impairment’, she said.
The seminar ended with interactive conversations moderated by Dr Kola of the Advocacy for Women with Disabilities Initiative (AWWDI). Participants agreed to form a media alliance of journalists and media executives dedicated to developing disability-inclusive climate reporting and increasing public awareness of inclusive climate action in Nigeria.
As Nigeria works towards more inclusive climate policies and disaster response systems, the alliance is expected to promote ongoing collaboration among the media, disability organisations, legislators, and development partners.
By Nsikak Ekere