Stop Discrimination Against Left-handed People, Group Urges Nigerians

The Director, Young Queen Innovation, Abisola Lawal, has urged Nigerians to end discriminatory practices that require many left-handed individuals, particularly children, to switch to their right hand.

In a petition dated 17 June 2023, addressed to the President, Bola Tinubu, highlighted the fact that left-handedness is a natural occurrence and should not be stigmatized or treated as a defect, adding that they have experienced first-hand the struggles and discrimination that come with being left-handed in Nigeria.

However, they called on the relevant authorities and stakeholders to take proactive steps to protect the rights of left-handed individuals and eliminate discriminatory practices against them.

The petition tagged ‘A petition to stop the maltreatment of left-handed people in Nigeria’ signed by the Director of Young Queen Innovation made available to The PUNCH on Sunday and copied to Vice-President Kashim Shettima, State Governors, the National Human Rights Commission, and the Federal Ministry of Education.

The petition reads,” We, the undersigned, are deeply concerned about the ongoing maltreatment of left-handed people in Nigeria. It has come to our attention that many left-handed individuals, particularly children, are being forced to switch to their right hand due to societal beliefs and misconceptions.

“We believe that this practice is not only discriminatory but also violates the basic human rights of left-handed individuals. It is important to note that left-handedness is a natural occurrence and should not be stigmatized or treated as a defect.

“As left-handed individuals ourselves, we have experienced first-hand the struggles and discrimination that come with being left-handed in Nigeria. Many of us have been forced to conform to societal norms and abandon our natural inclination to use our left hand.

“It is our sincere hope that this petition will bring attention to this issue and prompt action to end the maltreatment of left-handed people in Nigeria. We call on the relevant authorities and stakeholders to take proactive steps to protect the rights of left-handed individuals and eliminate discriminatory practices against them.