The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has concluded a two-day capacity-building training aimed at tackling harmful narratives, misinformation and online stigma faced by People with Dwarfism in the digital space.
The training, held from Saturday to Sunday in Kano focused on equipping participants with practical digital skills for safe and effective online engagement, while also strengthening their understanding of digital rights.
Speaking at the opening of the programme, the Executive Director of CITAD, Malam Y. Z. Ya’u, represented by the organisation’s Digital Rights Officer, Mr Ali Sabo, underscored the need for inclusive digital empowerment.
He said People with Dwarfism were often exposed to online abuse, stereotyping and misrepresentation, which limited their full participation in digital platforms.
“The training is designed to build participants’ capacity in social media use, online safety and digital rights, so they can challenge misinformation and take control of their narratives,” Sabo said.
He added that when responsibly used, digital platforms could serve as effective tools for advocacy, visibility and community mobilisation.
Sabo encouraged participants to leverage social media to share their experiences, educate the public and counter negative stereotypes, while being aware of the legal and ethical protections guiding online engagement.
One of the facilitators, Mr Buhari Abba, advised participants to use social media constructively by creating meaningful and informative content that promotes inclusion and awareness.
“Digital literacy is crucial in curbing misinformation and reducing online conflicts,” Abba said.
In another session, Mr Hamza Fagge highlighted legal protections available to Persons with Disabilities, explaining relevant disability laws and how they could be applied to address discrimination, harassment and rights violations, both online and offline.
Participants, including Fiddausi Umar and Mr Sani Bello, commended CITAD for organising the training, describing it as timely and empowering.
Umar said the programme had boosted their confidence and provided the skills needed to engage safely online and speak out against harmful content.
Bello added that the knowledge gained would enhance their advocacy efforts and enable them to better defend their rights in digital spaces.