Determined to enhance the communication skills of service providers to promote optimum service delivery, a 5-day sign language workshop has been rounded up in Calabar, the Cross RRiver state capital city.
The workshop was designed to equip service providers in the sexual reproductive health and rights ecosystem with the rudimentary skills in sign languag to guarantee seamless communication with those affected by hearing impairment.
Declaring the workshop open, the Head of Programme, Girls Power Initiative, GPI in Cross River, Ndodeye Bassey-Obongha said the workshop became imperative to minimize the challenges encountered by those with hearing and speech impairment in getting due treatment, assistance, and attention, especially at public institutions.
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According to her” After appraising the challenges facing our people with hearing impairment in expressing themselves at the police stations, hospitals and their inability to seek justice and line MDAs within the social service circle, the Girls Power Initiative GPI, with support from HIVOS under the WeLead project, opted to package the event to expose critical stakeholders to the basics in sign language for easy communication.
“Our target is to develop content for a sign language glossary with special focus on Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights, SRHR, and Violence Against Women and Girls, VAWG with a view of preventing and ensuring better response”
‘Besides,, it’s also aimed at enhancing access to SRHR information and services for individuals living with disabilities, specifically those with hearing and speech impairments”
Speaking on behalf of participants drawn from the Ministry of Justice, security outfits, and the health sector, the gender focal person in the state ministry of health, Mrs. Felicia Ayim applauded the sponsors and facilitators of the workshop, noting that the experience will promote better interaction and targeted service delivery.