SID empowers 20 women with living with disabilities on reproductive health, advocacy

By Chinelo Obogo

The Sustainable Impact and Development (SID) Initiative, through the We Lead Project supported by HIVOS, recently hosted a two-day capacity-building workshop in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The event brought together 20 adolescent girls and young women with disabilities, including those from hearing-impaired and physically challenged clusters, to enhance their knowledge and skills in Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) and advocacy.

Globally, approximately 1.3 billion people live with significant disabilities, according to the World Health Organization (2023). In Nigeria, the UNFPA World Population Dashboard (2021) estimates that 32 million individuals live with disabilities, many of whom are young people. Despite having the same SRHR needs as their peers without disabilities, these individuals often face unique barriers—such as stigma, discrimination, poverty, inaccessible facilities, and inadequately trained healthcare providers—that hinder access to essential services.

The workshop aimed to bridge these gaps by focusing on SRHR education, advocacy, and understanding the Disability Rights Act. Participants identified the challenges they face and collaborated on actionable recommendations to improve disability inclusion in healthcare and society. These recommendations will be developed into a policy brief to support advocacy efforts targeting policymakers and government stakeholders.

Participants highlighted the impact of the training. One stated, “I learned about my rights as a person with disabilities and how to speak up for myself.” Another shared, “I gained insights into my sexual and reproductive health and learned how to advocate for better services as a woman with disabilities.”

Ms. Gloria Williams, Program Officer at SID Initiative, underscored the importance of inclusivity: “Adolescents and young people should be informed about their sexual and reproductive health and rights, regardless of their disabilities. They must be prioritised and not left behind in our programs and initiatives.”

She added: “SID Initiative continues to champion SRHR advocacy for young people across Nigeria, striving for a world where everyone—irrespective of socio-economic or physical conditions—can achieve their full potential, free from sexual health challenges. We Lead is a global initiative dedicated to empowering young women and adolescent girls often marginalised in SRHR discussions. This includes those living with disabilities, identifying as lesbian, bisexual, transgender, or intersex (LBTI), living with HIV, or affected by displacement.”