Abuja: When climate disaster strikes, the warning may come through various modes of communication, including radio broadcasts, text messages, television announcements, or social media. However, for millions of people with disabilities, these warnings may not be accessible, leading to dire consequences. For women and girls with disabilities, the risks are even more pronounced, highlighting the need for inclusive climate strategies.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that 16% of the global population lives with a disability, with persons with disabilities facing mortality rates up to four times higher than the general population during disasters. The UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) notes that 80% of persons with disabilities reside in the Global South, where they are among the most affected by natural hazards and climate-induced disasters. The 2023 Global Survey on Persons with Disabilities and Disasters reveals a significant information gap, with only 25% of persons with disabilities able to follow evacuation instructions easily during disasters.
The survey also indicates that only 11% of persons with disabilities are aware of existing disaster management plans in their communities, leaving many without critical information during emergencies. WHO estimates that 13 to 17 million women and girls with disabilities in Nigeria face heightened climate risks, making them among the most vulnerable groups during climate-related emergencies.
This growing concern was the focus of a Media Engagement Session on Disability-Inclusive Climate Action, organized by the Inclusive Friends Association (IFA). The engagement brought together disability advocates, journalists, and stakeholders to call for changes in Nigeria’s approach to climate action and reporting. Grace Jerry, Executive Director of IFA, emphasized that climate justice requires the full inclusion of women and girls with disabilities in climate policies and public discourse. She highlighted the compounding barriers faced by women with disabilities during climate emergencies.
Research by the Harvard Law School Project on Disability supports Jerry’s concerns, showing that persons with disabilities are two to four times more likely to die or be injured during climate emergencies. The risk is even higher for those with psychosocial disabilities. Jerry noted Nigeria’s National Climate Change Policy 2021-2030 recognizes the need to integrate gender, children, youth, and vulnerable groups into climate interventions, but questioned if this commitment is being reflected in actual, disability-inclusive actions.
Journalists and policymakers were challenged to change how women and girls with disabilities are represented in climate conversations. They should be seen as leaders and contributors to climate solutions, not just victims. As Nigeria implements its climate policies, Jerry argued for disability inclusion to be an integral part of the planning process.
The media’s role in advancing inclusive climate action was emphasized by Rifkatu Odeyemi, who underscored the need for journalists to act as gatekeepers, translators, and watchdogs to ensure disability-inclusive climate issues are addressed. Dr. Kehinde Ogunbiyi of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities highlighted the multiple layers of discrimination faced by persons with disabilities during climate emergencies.
The IFA’s initiative, supported by Rise Up Together, aims to strengthen the role of women and girls with disabilities in climate justice by 2027. Experts advocate for inclusive journalism that respects the dignity of persons with disabilities and integrates their voices into climate reporting. Governments are urged to incorporate disability inclusion into climate policies, and media organizations are encouraged to adopt editorial guidelines that are sensitive to disability and gender.
The call for disability-inclusive climate action is a demand for equal rights and participation, emphasizing that no climate policy can be truly inclusive without addressing the needs of those most at risk.