People discriminate against us in marriage, sexually abuse us at night – Paralympians

From Everest Ezihe, Owerri

Mrs Precious Moses Orji, an Imo State-born 2016 Paralympic Games Gold Medalist in Powerlifting (160kg) who broke the world record, has laid out the litany of sufferings suffered by women with disabilities at the hands of the public and complains that this is the worst self-deception, that they are discriminated against in marriage, but at night they want to be sexually abused by the same people.

Moses Orji, a mother of two and married at Abazu Ogwa in Umueze Abazu Ogwa Autonomous Community in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of ​​Imo State, made this remarkable revelation in Owerri during an interactive media briefing with these sections of special citizens organized by the Center For The Right was organized by To Health (CRH) as part of its programs for a three-day on-site training workshop for selected journalists in Imo State.

Remember that CRH is a non-governmental, non-profit organization that advocates for zero tolerance towards violence against women and girls with disabilities and conducted the Intensive Leadership Program at the Gold Crown Hotel, Owerri.

In her opinion: “Frankly, it is annoying when people discriminate against us in marriage, but at night the same people would have the desire and malice to sexually abuse us. Because we are physically disabled, we cannot move easily, people who do not belong to us insult, mistreat and harass us.

“I felt emotionally, physically and psychologically devastated as people mocked me when I was pregnant, questioning my God as if I couldn’t give birth the way people think is normal. They felt sorry for me like I was going to be born by cesarean section, but my God did it to them, shut up! And I had a safe and normal delivery. If there’s one thing I hate in life, it’s the pity of those around me. I have a good home training and am loved by my parents and siblings, especially my beloved father.

“Women with disabilities who play sports are mostly victims of abuse and trash. Once you are married or have an injury, there is a tendency to be on your own. The authorities frowned when I got married. I sustained a serious injury while representing Nigeria at the 2020 Paralympics. To this day I am still taking care of the injury and providing medical sponsorship. Despite all the appeals to the relevant authorities and the best recognition I could receive from my country, Nigeria is barring me from participating in domestic matches and international matches, even if I have recovered and am in good shape for any competition.

“I’m not physically disabled, but it’s society that makes me feel the same sometimes. I can train well at home even though I am physically disabled. Nigerian society treats us like third class citizens, every day we are psychologically and emotionally tortured and raped by the attitude of our fellow human beings towards us, unlike other countries in the world where people with our plights are honored, respected and cared for. Rather, in Nigeria we are humiliated, isolated and treated like no one.

“It is important to make Nigerians realize that disabilities bring abilities. We were equally created by God for specific purposes. We are all equal before God. We don’t need pity, we need a supportive environment. With respect and the right attitude we will surely succeed. We are very grateful to the Center For The Right To Health (CRH) for its causes, advocacy and awareness programs. Only God Almighty can reward them properly,” she prayed passionately.

Moses-Orji further commended CRH for its commitment to their well-being and public acceptance under the organization’s vision and mission “United to Prevent Violence Against Women with Disabilities,” and insisted that women and girls with physical disabilities deserve to be included works of life to be respected in all areas.

She believed that society should stop viewing them as evil and never do anything good, after all, every body is handicapped in life in one way or another, and lamented that as special citizens they shed tears every day, when they strive for reason of belonging in terms of socio-economic activities.

Moses-Orji also expressed dismay that most public and private buildings in Nigeria do not have ramps to facilitate access and their suffering is compounded by high levels of family discrimination to which they are equally subjected is exacerbated and they have suffered greatly in terms of exclusion in every endeavor of life.

“We have the potential to contribute to the upliftment of Nigerian society.” We should be treated with respect and dignity, after all, most of us are extremely intelligent and more educated than our oppressors. We should be given the opportunity to work. We are products of God’s creation, unfortunately most members of society have caused us so much emotional and psychological pain,” she stressed.