Masaka. Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) in Uganda continue battling rampant stigma, domestic violation and sexual abuses coupled with inadequate information about Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR).
According to health rights activists and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Greater Masaka Region, Buddu and Kooki counties are hotspots for the most transgressions against PWDs.
Well, various reports citing an alarming rate of rape, defilement, and forced family planning have been recorded in these counties comprising Masaka, Kyotera, Kalungu, Bukomansimbi, Lwengo (Budd) and Rakai (Kooki) hence prompting urgent interventions to address these challenges.
However, these heroes have entered a partnership to strengthen their fight against all forms of stigma, and oppression in a bid to preserve their dignity and brighter future.
Amid this effort, a two-year SRHR campaign has been launched in Masaka district to support sexually abused PWDs and other victims of gender-based violence to get justice, for PWDs who are denied access to SRHR services, and tackle poor condom uptake and stigma among PWDs.
Spearheaded by the Association of Disabled Persons living with HIV/AIDS in Uganda (ADPHA-Uganda) the program is designed to help them exercise their right to access sexual education and adequate services they need to stay safe.
Program Officer
According to Patricia Alena Namiwanda, the Sexual Reproductive Health Officer at ADPHA-Uganda, various poor families and those afraid of societal ostracisation, often resort to insensitive measures, subjecting their disabled children and relatives to forced family planning to alleviate apparent burdens.
She explained that the campaign’s success will involve various stakeholders, including the Police Child and Family Protection Units (CFPU) and District Probation Officers, who recognise the importance of SRHR issues among vulnerable populations, particularly PWDs.
“We want to build confidence, fight stigmatisation and change people’s perception while advocating for increased access to comprehensive SRHR services for all individuals with disabilities living with HIV as well as TB survivors,” she explained.
There is still a challenge in accessing SRHR information for people with disabilities in rural and remote communities and poor mindset towards PWDs.
She further believes that advocating for policies that respect and protect people with disabilities is the way to address the misconceptions in communities about people with disabilities making informed choices about sexual reproductive health.
Namiwanda said that they expect to see that after two years the program will be implemented and that there will be no discrimination in the provision of SRHR and other health services on top of advocates for the rights of persons living with a disability.
“We have existing Peer Support Groups among people living with HIV/AIDS and TB survivors and these are going to be strengthened, and the PWDs are also going to be given the confidence to engage with police makers to implement inclusive SRHR services and make informed decisions,” she added.
Jude Muleke, the head of Buddu County (Pokino), told that implementing inclusive measures is necessary since every individual, regardless of their sex and disability status, fully deserves the right to make well-informed decisions about their sexual and reproductive health.
Muleke explained that the SRHR campaign will require the government to allocate enough resources to enhance accessibility for PWDs.
This, he added, involves investing in sign language interpreters, constructing facilities like ramps, and ensuring that the beds at maternity wards and toilets are easily accessible and clean.
“It is further important to prioritise the cleanliness of these facilities, toilets in particular, to safeguard the health of PWDs who use them frequently when they visit these health centres,” he said.
Health Workers
Costansio Nakityo, the Lwengo Assistant District Health Officer in charge of children and women affairs, said they must ensure full sensitisation and participation of PWDs to get equal and effective medical and SRHR services.
“We pledge to offer accurate information and inspire informed independent decisions. We want to refrain from making decisions and choices on their behalf, particularly in accessing contraception, among other issues.
Nakityo added that the apparent discrimination faced by women and girls living with disabilities usually makes it difficult to address their sexual reproductive health issues.
Sophia Tageya, a midwife at Masaka Regional Referral Hospital, stressed the delayed services for deaf patients caused by the absence of sign language interpreters at the facility.
“Over five years ago, the health workers, who had been trained as sign language interpreters, subsequently left the facility after reappointment to other health centres,” she explained.
According to Tageya, any lack of effective communication between a doctor or health workers and the deaf patient has remained a substantial barrier to gathering the medical history of these patients, potentially resulting in inaccurate diagnoses.
“PWDs often find a challenge with the high-raised beds that are not adjustable to accommodate their condition. In addition, the communal toilets and bathrooms often have dirty floors making the PWD patients more susceptible to contracting various diseases,” she said.
Immaculate Nakabiri, the Centre Manager at Marie Stopes – Masaka, believes that thoroughly explaining the available contraceptive options to individuals with disabilities, enables them to make well-informed choices of what to use.
Since PWDs fear obtaining condoms for protection against sexually transmitted diseases and exploring different family planning alternatives, Nakabiri noted the importance of encouraging confidence in PWDs to access all available services like any other individual.
PWDs Speak
Paul Ssuuna, a deaf youth from Misanvu village in Bukomansimbi district, has been discriminated against over the years when it comes to accessing vital healthcare services.
“Well, this program gives me and the majority with disabilities hope for a better future especially where our health-related needs are recognised and promptly addressed,” he explained.
For Johnson, a Tuberculosis (TB) survivor from Rakai, this project is a big step in ensuring that all individuals, irrespective of their physical condition or HIV and TB status, can get the comprehensive care they rightly deserve.
Training PWDs Champions
Through this initiative, Richard Musisi, the Executive Director – ADIPHA Uganda, the project will promote a culture of inclusivity and awareness among adolescents, youths, adults with disabilities, policymakers, and other stakeholders.
Through the project, Musisi revealed, that at least 20 individuals will be trained to become champions of disability-inclusive HIV/TB services.
“We aim to enhance the confidence and skills of PWDs and the champions. We intend to empower them to advocate for improved service delivery at local, parish, subcounty, district and national level and to engage directly with decision-makers and implementing partners regarding PWDs access to SRHR services,” he said.
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