Experts Call for the Protection of the Sexual and Reproductive Health of Person with Disabilities

BRASILIA—Experts from around the world met here this week to highlight the importance of including persons with disabilities—particularly their right to sexual and reproductive health—in national policies and programmes around the world.

The Global Expert Group Meeting on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Persons with Disabilities discussed ways to promote the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities that was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in December 2006. The two-day meeting, organized by UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, and the World Health Organization, was intended to validate and finalize a Draft Guidance Note on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Persons with Disabilities.

According to Dr. Hilda Aloisi, a Clinical Psychologist who works for the social inclusion of other persons with disabilities, the event was an important initiative to raise awareness of the rights of persons with disabilities regarding sexual and reproductive health.

“This was the first and a pioneer step to make our rights really effective,” said Dr. Aloisi. “We’ve been fighting for this for more than 20 years and I finally have hope that I can and I should be treated as everyone. I mean loving and be loved, be in relationships, and especially being a complete woman.”

About 10 per cent of the world’s population —650 million people— live with a disability, and their sexual and reproductive health has been neglected. Adolescents and adults with disabilities are as likely as persons without disabilities to be sexually active. Globally, it is estimated that 80 per cent of persons with disabilities live in developing countries, most without social systems to support them.

“Unless such huge numbers of people are part of development policies and programmes, it will be impossible to attain international development goals,” said UNFPA Technical Support Division Deputy Director, Hedia Belhadj, at the gathering. “First, we have to recognize the diversity of needs and respond accordingly. Disability is not restricted to any social or economic group, culture or age group. Rather, anyone at any time can be born with or acquire a disability.”

“Persons with disabilities must know how to protect themselves against unintended pregnancies, HIV and AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections, and sexual and gender-based violence,” added Dr. Belhadj. “Such information and services must be made available in accessible formats, including alternative communication formats.”

More resources are not necessarily required, according to Dr. Belhadj. “Often, it is only a matter of physicians, nurses and midwives and programme managers learning to communicate and taking the needs of persons with disabilities into account, ensuring they have the necessary information and can take advantage of family planning, maternal health and HIV prevention services already available,” she said.

Stigma, lack of support, and discrimination are also problems. Negative and stereotyped attitudes in society and the lack of disability-related support often lead to low self esteem and psychological barriers in terms of sexual and reproductive health.

“Events like this are good opportunities not only to understand what are the real needs and demands of persons with disabilities, but also to show that persons with disabilities have an important contribution to make to society as whole,” said Alanna Armitage, UNFPA Representative in Brazil. “This can only be achieved if their rights are fulfilled and we as citizens are able to tackle stigma, provide the support they need, and stop discrimination,” she added.

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Contact Information:

Omar Gharzeddine
Tel.: +1 (212) 297-5028
Email: gharzeddine@unfpa.org