Advocacy for Women With Disabilites Initiative (AWWDI) has trained Organizations of Persons With Disabilites (OPDs) and other Stakeholders on Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) of Women and Girls With Disabilites (WGWDs).
The training and high powered discussion which took place on Thursday 6th April, 2023 in Abuja is AWWDI’s project supported by WE Lead, HIVOS to engage Stakeholders, OPDs and governmental organizations to champion advocacy for SRHR of WGWDs in three geopolitical zones, South West( Lagos State), South South(Edo State) and North Central (FCT).
Yakubu Bilikisu, National Coordinator, AWWDI in her opening remark at event said that it is a pilot project which will be on for a period of Six months to roll out modalities, interventions and tools for advocacy. Speaking further, she said that WGWDs face multiple barriers to accessing SRH services including lack of information, stigma, discrimination, physical and communication barriers.
“This can lead to serious health consequences including unintended pregnancy, unsafe abortion, and sexually transmitted infections” she added.
She also said that despite these challenges, these are many inspiring stories of WGWDs who have overcome these obstacles and have taken control of their SRH.
“We will be exploring practical strategies and solutions for improving access to SRH services for WGWDs”.
The participants in the course of the training articulated new solutions and tools for advocacy towards improving access to SRH services for WGWDs and also different models of disability (Charity, Medical and Social/Right Based) have affected access to SRHR of women with Disabilities in view of addressing the challenges.
The participants were drawn from different clusters of disability and OPDs including the media.
