Stakeholders push for PWDs inclusion in sexual health, safe abortion guidelines

Health stakeholders in Ogun State have called for the inclusion of Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) in Sexual and Reproductive Health Right and the Safe Termination of Pregnancy (SToP) guidelines in the state.

They lamented the neglect of women living with disabilities, stressing that some die from complications of unsafe abortion.

The stakeholders, including community representatives, civil society organizations, healthcare providers, advocates, among others, spoke on Wednesday, during a briefing and alignment meeting on inclusive SToP guidelines in Ogun State.

Speaking at the event held in Abeokuta, Paul Bennett, Executive Director, The Rainbow Alive Hub Initiative (TRAHI), noted that the meeting aimed to identify the challenges faced by the PWDs, close existing gaps and advocate for their welfare.

Bennett applauded the Ogun state government for the introduction of the SToP guidelines to protects women, but lamented that they do extend to all categories of women like persons with disabilities, mentally challenged women, drug addicts among others.

He said, “We advanced certain policies, within the state, that helped make sexual reproductive health and bodily autonomy for these women possible. But we also discovered that there were a group of women that were left behind, especially those living with disabilities. 

“Their issues are compounded, there’s a need to tighten policies to address these gaps, where you have people living with, maybe visual impairment, or people who cannot speak, being impregnated, they can’t point to who impregnated them. And then they cannot also procure abortion freely.

“This is a huge gap that we need to address. It’s a collective effort and that’s why we are here to listen to your complains.”

God’s Gift Udoh, Director of Programs at TRAHI, stated that while the SToP guidelines cover all women in Ogun State, awareness and implementation remain lacking for PWDs.

 “When it comes to sexual and reproductive health and rights, no community should be left behind,” Udoh added, stressing that collaborative effort is needed to achieve the SDG 2030 agenda of leaving no one behind.

In his remarks, Dr. Michael Ebonhor, State Chairman of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), advocated for PWDs to be included in the vulnerable group and provided with free health insurance scheme.

He decried the unaccessible health centers, derogatory language and stereotypes from medical professionals such as “with this condition who impregnated you?,” adding that these and other factors discourage them from visiting the hospital.

Ebonhor, however, called for training and retraining of medical professionals, emphasizing the need to address the information gap, as many ladies and girls with disabilities are unaware of where to seek help.

He added that the long route of getting justice when their rights are being violated is another significant obstacle as most people give up halfway because of financial constraints.

Another participant, identified as Adeosun Olufemi, called for more awareness and partnership in spreading the information to rural communities.

Olufemi argued that many PWDs are dying in silence, citing an experience where a deaf and dumb was raped and the survivor could not identify the perpetrator.

Responding, Executive Secretary of the State Primary Healthcare Board, Dr Elijah Ogunsola, stated that the government is still trying to get sign language interpreters across PHCs in the state, but has provided ramps with access toilets in 75 health centers across the state.

He noted that even though people with special needs seems negligible in the population, the government is making them the number one priority in the health sector, adding that comprehensive sexual reproductive health interventions are also available for them. 

“It’s your choice to have sex, your choice to have relationships and it’s your choice to determine what you want to do about it.

“We come with family planning, if you don’t want to be pregnant, it’s your choice to protect yourself and if you get pregnant and you feel… don’t say because I have special needs I have to go to a quack, no, the state government has trained health workers to give you what you need. And the health centers will be waiting for you to receive you,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Director of Rehabilitation Services, Ministry of Women Affairs, Mrs Olekanma Funminiyi, stated that the government is doing all it can to ensure the wellbeing and safety of all women, including those living with disabilities.

Stakeholders push for PWDs inclusion in sexual health, safe abortion guidelines