The Sustainable Impact and Development (SID) Initiative has hosted a two-day workshop in Ibadan, Oyo State, aimed at empowering 20 adolescent girls and young women with disabilities. Participants, including those from the deaf and physically challenged communities, were trained on 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). The UNFPA World Population Dashboard (2021) estimates that 32 million Nigerians live with disabilities, with many being young people. Despite having equal SRHR needs as their peers, people with disabilities often encounter barriers such as stigma, inaccessible facilities, poverty, and insufficiently trained healthcare providers.
The workshop addressed these gaps by focusing on SRHR education, the Disability Rights Act, and advocacy strategies. Participants identified challenges and proposed actionable recommendations to promote disability inclusion in healthcare and society. These recommendations will be drafted into a policy brief to support advocacy targeting government stakeholders.
Participants praised the workshop’s impact. One stated, “I learned about my rights as a person with disabilities and how to speak up for myself.” Another added, “I now understand my sexual and reproductive health better and know how to advocate for improved services.”
Ms. Gloria Williams, Program Officer at SID Initiative, reiterated the importance of ensuring inclusivity in SRHR programs. “Every adolescent and young person has a right to sexual and reproductive health knowledge, regardless of disabilities. They must be prioritized in all programs,” she said.
She further highlighted SID Initiative’s role in advancing SRHR advocacy across Nigeria, striving for an inclusive society. “We Lead is a global initiative committed to empowering young women and girls marginalised in SRHR discussions, including those living with disabilities, identifying as lesbian, bisexual, transgender, or intersex (LBTI), living with HIV, or affected by displacement,” Ms. Williams explained