Radio Sensitization on Inclusive Peace and Development

On 24th of September, 2025, IVWYI partnered with The Institute for Humanitarian Studies and Social Development to engage the public through a live radio sensitization program (Humanitarian Hour) on Vision FM 92.1, focusing on the theme: Inclusive Peace and Development: The Place of Disability as a Humanitarian Concern.

The discussion emphasized that without peace, there can be no development, and without inclusion, neither peace nor development can be sustained. Persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups often face unique risks in times of conflict and insecurity, making their voices essential in peacebuilding and development processes.

Discussion Highlights

During the program, we facilitated alongside Ambassador Prince Francis Origa, the Registrar to The Institute for Humanitarian Studies and Social Development and Former Adviser to the Abia State Government on Humanitarian and Social Development Matters, who co-hosted the session. Together, we examined several important issues, including:

• Impact of Insecurity on Persons with Disabilities: How the absence of peace disproportionately affects persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups.
• Stigma and Discrimination: The lived realities of persons with disabilities who often face stereotypes, stigma, and exclusion on the basis of disability, gender, or other vulnerabilities.
• Inclusion in Peace Processes: Practical ways persons with disabilities can actively participate in peacebuilding and development initiatives.
• Protecting Dignity: How society can safeguard the dignity and humanity of persons with disabilities, particularly in humanitarian and development contexts.

Key Contributions

• Facilitated a radio sensitization program that reached a wide audience across the region.
• Partnered with The Institute for Humanitarian Studies and Social Development to amplify the call for inclusion and humanitarian dignity.
• Brought disability into the mainstream conversation on peace, security, and development.
• Encouraged the public to recognize persons with disabilities as partners in peace and progress, not passive beneficiaries.

Impact

• Public Awareness: The program raised community-level understanding of the intersection between conflict, disability, and humanitarian vulnerability.
• Narrative Shift: Listeners were encouraged to challenge stereotypes and view disability inclusion as a necessity for sustainable peace and development.
• Advocacy Strengthening: The collaboration reinforced the call for policies that protect dignity and promote the participation of persons with disabilities.

Why It Matters

Disability is often overlooked in peace and development discussions, yet persons with disabilities bear disproportionate burdens in fragile contexts. By using a wide-reaching media platform like Vision FM, this sensitization helped reshape public perception, foster empathy, and amplify advocacy for inclusive peace and development.

Conclusion

The radio sensitization on Vision FM 92.1, co-hosted with Amb. Prince Francis Origa, underscored that peace and development cannot be achieved without inclusion. By elevating disability as a humanitarian concern and stressing dignity, equity, and participation, the program contributed to a stronger culture of awareness, advocacy, and inclusion within the community.