Negative Stereotypes Hinder Women with Disabilities from Accessing Family Planning Services in Nigeria – Lois Auta

Women with disabilities in Nigeria continue to face significant barriers in accessing family planning services due to deep-rooted stereotypes and societal misconceptions, says Lois Auta, Founder and President of the Network of Women with Disabilities (NWD).

Speaking on “Shattering Stereotypes and Breaking Down Barriers,” one of the six principles for inclusive development at the Global Disability Summit (GDS) 2025 in Berlin, Germany—organized by Sightsavers and Inclusive Futures and supported by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)—Auta emphasized that women and girls with disabilities experience “triple jeopardy.” First, as women; second, as individuals with disabilities; and third, due to the daily barriers they encounter. These barriers, she noted, range from infrastructural and economic challenges to attitudinal and institutional obstacles.

“When I say attitudinal, I mean the misconceptions, cultural traditions, and patriarchal systems that prevent women and girls with disabilities from accessing healthcare services, including family planning,” Auta stated.

She further highlighted how many in society wrongly assume that women with disabilities do not have sexual desires or the right to bear children, reinforcing discriminatory practices that deny them access to reproductive health services.

To address these issues, the Network of Women with Disabilities, alongside JONAPWD, BBC Media Action, Sightsavers Nigeria Country Office, and other partners, has been working to improve access to sexual and reproductive healthcare in Kaduna State and northern Nigeria. Auta expressed gratitude to Sightsavers, Inclusive Futures, and the FCDO for supporting initiatives that raise awareness and influence policy development to protect the rights of women with disabilities.

INN reports that the topic for the event was “Closing the Gap: Six Principles to Achieve Inclusive Development.”

Auta called for a paradigm shift from the charity model to a human rights-based approach, urging society to recognize that women with disabilities have the right to relationships, marriage, and motherhood.

“Many of our members are married, pregnant, and raising children. It’s time to dispel the myths and ensure that women with disabilities are granted their fundamental rights, including access to quality healthcare,” she said.

Auta also emphasized the need for greater representation of women with disabilities in decision-making roles, advocating for their inclusion in leadership positions at all levels, from senators to heads of state.

“We don’t just want equality; we want inclusion, participation, and representation. Women with disabilities can be presidents, senators, and policymakers. It’s time for real change,” she declared.

INN also reports that the Global Disability Summit (GDS) 2025 in Berlin provided a dynamic platform for meaningful engagement, collaboration, and advocacy. The summit, held on April 1 to 3, 2025, brought together disability rights activists, organizations, and stakeholders from across the globe to discuss critical issues affecting persons with disabilities.