Family Planning / Contraception and Disability
What comes to your mind when you hear about “Disability and Contraception”?
Some people think people with disabilities aren’t sexually active, therefore pleasure and sexual satisfaction aren’t considered important to them. Others believe they are unable to perform completely, which is why persons with disabilities are frequently excluded or marginalized when it comes to Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights.
Disability inclusion is a broad concept that encompasses a slew of issues that must be addressed. Contraception is one of them. When we discuss the needs of persons with disabilities, we often overlook some issues that are important to them. Many often, people with disabilities are left out due to society’s wrong ideologies despite the fact that their needs are just as vital as everyone else’s.
What is Contraception
Contraception is defined as the intentional prevention of conception through the use of various devices, sexual practices, chemicals, drugs, or surgical procedures. As a result, any device or action that prevents a woman from becoming pregnant qualifies as a contraceptive. Contraception is critical in preventing unwanted pregnancies, unsafe abortions, and abortion-related complications, all of which expose adolescents and young people with disabilities to health risks such as infertility and mortality.
When it comes to contraceptive services for young people with disabilities, there is a lot of stigma, inaccessibility, and communication barriers. Many young women with disabilities are more likely to be sexually assaulted and are already prone to rape, defilement, and sexual gender-based violence. Because of their susceptibility, this is the case.
Due to communication barriers, fraud, and corruption, there is little or no opportunity of knowing the story behind such cases when they are reported, despite the fact that the losses are frequently severe. Furthermore, how many lawyers are familiar with the language and needs of young people with impairments, particularly the deaf? This has left a lot of questions unanswered, leading to an increase in unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections/diseases.
With the increase in sexual crimes such as rape and defilement, it is critical that knowledge be disseminated, contraceptive services are made available, and these young people be able to avoid unwanted pregnancies and other difficulties. Also, if contraception services for individuals with disabilities are to improve, those who provide them must expand their awareness and acceptance of sexuality among people with disabilities.
What you need to know!
The overall rate of unmet need for contemporary contraception is 28%, but due to various barriers, a large majority of those are young women with disabilities. Contraception usage in adolescents and women with disabilities is complex, owing to the vast range of symptoms and situations experienced by individual patients, as well as a lack of practical, evidence-based guidance. As a result, more education and safe areas where they can freely access services are required. People with disabilities should be able to freely discuss their contraceptive needs, with each form of contraception and its indications for use being explained.
Written by Kiwumulo Charity.
