Women under the aegies of International Community of Women Living With HIV, West Africa (ICWWA) have called on the Federal Government to strengthen Anti-discriminatory and Patients’ Rights Act and Laws in the country in order to access services relating to HIV/AIDS.This call was made through a communique at a virtual national dialogue meeting with stakeholders from Senegal, Sierra Leaone, and Nigeria by the regional director of ICWWA Mrs Assumpta Reginald in Abuja.The policymakers called on the government to give priority to the integration of Inadequately Served Population (ISP) such as People with Disabilities (PWDs),adolescent boys, girls and women who were unfairly treated during the peek covid 19 pandemic.They enjoined government to upload human rights principles into covid 19 response in order to end stigma and discrimination against ISPs.The senior programme officer Network of Persons Living with HIV/Aids in Nigeria ,Mr. James Atusue in his presentation called for the establishment of more policies and the training of health workers on the needs of ISPs stressing the need to support policies for the inclusion and meaningful engagement of women, youths, PWDs, and other special needs citizens in all decision-making processes, planning, and implementation.The dialogue stated that it was important for government to enable accessibility for PWDs urging Nigeria to take a cue from other West African countries with deliberate and intentional strategy for disability inclusion.The policymakers commended the media for their role in shaping public awareness and providing information that shapes attitudes on issues related to ISPs and gender issues.
