Katsina Group Seeks Inclusion Of PWS In Climate Change Fight Law
The Muryar Matasa Initiative for Employment, Development and Inclusion (MMI) has called on governments at all levels, development partners and private organisations to ensure that persons with disabilities are fully included in climate-change policies and programmes.
The Executive Director of MMI, Saratu Halidu Samaila, made the call alongside the organisation’s Secretary, Nasiru Dauda, during a press briefing in Katsina on Monday to present the outcome of a four-month advocacy intervention on disability-inclusive climate governance.
A major outcome of the intervention, according to the organisation, was the creation of the Katsina State Climate Change Forum on Persons with Disabilities (KSCF-PWDs) on September 29, 2026, following an advocacy visit to the state Commissioner for Environment.
MMI said the forum would provide a platform for persons with disabilities and government stakeholders to collaborate on climate and environmental issues.
“Climate action must include everyone. Women and girls with disabilities must have a voice in the decisions that affect their lives, livelihoods, safety and communities,” the organisation said.
Samaila explained that women and girls with disabilities often face additional barriers in accessing climate information, disaster preparedness initiatives, adaptation programmes, livelihood opportunities and decision-making platforms.
She said the advocacy programme, therefore, focused on ensuring that their experiences and priorities were reflected in climate action and environmental governance in the state.
The intervention included policy advocacy, government engagement, stakeholder dialogues, capacity building, civil society engagement, radio and online awareness campaigns, and accessible climate education and advocacy materials.
However, MMI clarified that the newly created forum is yet to be formally inaugurated and its membership has not been constituted.
The organisation said its immediate priorities include the formal inauguration of the forum, ensuring inclusive representation, developing a clear mandate and terms of reference, and sustaining engagement with government on disability-inclusive climate policies.
According to MMI, the forum could play an important role in climate policy, adaptation, disaster preparedness, environmental protection, climate information, resilience and participation in decision-making.
The organisation also stressed that the creation of the forum does not mean the state’s climate policy has been formally amended, but provides an additional platform through which disability-inclusive policies and implementation can be advanced.
MMI called on civil society organisations, organisations of persons with disabilities, women’s rights groups, development partners, media organisations, traditional institutions and climate stakeholders to support the initiative.
The organisation maintained that persons with disabilities, particularly women and girls, should not be treated merely as beneficiaries of climate interventions but should participate actively in designing and implementing solutions affecting their communities.
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