Bringing Light – Addressing the Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) of People Living with Physical Disabilities (PWDPs)

Abstract

In Pakistan, there is a ‘culture of silence’ around disability and Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) rights. SRH and rights of people living with disabilities remain unaddressed because of prevailing cultural norm and traditions that stigmatize sexuality of People Living with Disability (PWD) and prevent them from claiming their sexual rights and taking control of their reproductive lives. Furthermore, people with disabilities are unable to access quality and tailored SRHR information and services. The aim of this project was to build the capacity of People Living with Physical Disabilities (PWPD) on their Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR). The project was also aimed at increasing awareness among the general public on the SRHR needs of PWPDs as they are generally considered asexual, hence not to SRHR information and services. Aahung capacity of the caregivers, and trainers who work with/for people living with disabilities and develop user-friendly resource material to aid them to teach people living with physical disability about their SRH needs and rights which is an innovation within itself. The approaches discussed here, however, apply broadly to all aspects of health programming for people with physical disabilities. Aahung envisioned transforming these trainers into advocates for SRH needs and rights of PWPDs in their respective workspaces and/or communities and integrate the newly-designed SRHR-related resource material into their activities.