Leaving no one behind: Disability inclusion in sexual reproductive health and rights

Young people with disabilities are just like their peers; with hopes for their future, dreams and desires. However, for many of these young people, negative attitudes about disability and discrimination continue to stifle their potential in education, employment, community living and access to health services including sexual reproductive health and rights (SRHR).

Majority of programmes and services geared towards SRHR tend to focus on youth as a whole; and by doing so, exclude a large number of youth with disabilities by design. Misperceptions about people with disabilities and the assumption that people with disabilities are not sexually active has also contributed to little attention being paid to ensuring that they too have access to sexual and reproductive health-care services ( United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs). Young people with disabilities keep facing persistent social disadvantages and this greatly impacts their lives. It should be understood that young PWDs are in much need of SRHR services and information than anyone else considering their vulnerability.

On 16th July 2020, as part of our ongoing partnership with Reach a Hand Uganda, we held a talk show on NXT Radio under the theme; “Inclusion for young people with disabilities in Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights” . The show served to bring attention to the challenges young people with disabilities in Uganda face in relation to SRHR and how their needs can be included in the planning and implementation of SRHR programs and services. The roles of various stakeholders including SRHR keepers, policymakers, civil society organizations, organizations of people with disabilities (DPOs) and the general public was also highlighted in the discussion.

“Misconceptions from health workers and the public leaves many young people with disabilities in fear of seeking SRHR services and this has left them more vulnerable to SRHR challenges like teenage pregnancy.” Joy Florence Nabadda a Project Assistant at Uganda National Action on Physical Disability (UNAPD) and one of the participants of the radio talk show said.  

“Young persons with disabilities are facing a number of challenges when it comes to accessing sexual reproductive health and rights services. It is unfortunate that many of these challenges are created by society and this has left them with no option but to get buried in stigma,” Saad Ngabo, a wheelchair user and a Peer Educator with Reach A Hand Uganda. 

He was also one of the participants of the radio show. He shared his experience of going to buy condoms from a nearby pharmacy. “The facial expression of the pharmacist was not so good when he saw a person in a wheelchair coming to ask for condoms. Such scenarios may impact someone negatively, lower their self-esteem, and may even never come seeking for any SRHR services.” 

There is much to be done to ensure the realization of the sexual reproductive health needs of young persons with disabilities. “Policies around SRHR need to be made realistic and it is through this that persons with disabilities are not left behind. Health workers need to be trained on how to handle or interact with clients with different disabilities for example they need to learn sign language to be able to communicate with a deaf person seeking services.” Saad Ngabo said.

Joy Florence Nabbada added that, “Buildings need to be made accessible so that persons with disabilities are in a position to reach them to access any service or information. Inclusivity in IEC material or items like condoms should be key. For example the instructions on a condom describing how to use it need to have an option of braille to cater to those with a visual impairment.”

Disability inclusive SRHR programs and services is achievable – with stronger collaboration and partnership between the different stakeholders – and is necessary given the vulnerability of young people with disabilities, especially young women and girls with disabilities.

Reach a Hand Uganda, as a leading organization on youth centered SRHR programming, is actively taking steps to ensure disability inclusion in all its programmes and activities. Best practices from disability inclusion in the Peer Educators’ Academy have been documented and can serve as a tool for other stakeholders to learn and adapt practices from (download here).