Analysing an assessment

Participants at the consultation.

A stakeholders’ consultation seeking to analyse the findings of a rapid assessment of access to sexual and reproductive health information for young persons with disabilities has been lauded as a very important initiative.

This is according to the Health Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mr. Hydar Ally, who said, “It is important because it addresses issues that have been neglected in the past.”

The Permanent Secretary Friday made these remarks at the opening of the session at the Regency Suites Hotel conference room.

Apart from analysing the information gleaned from the assessment, the consultation also allowed an opportunity for contributions to the development of an action plan and facilitated networking among stakeholders.

The rapid assessment of access to sexual and reproductive health information for young persons with disabilities was done in Regions Four (Demerara/Mahaica), Seven (Cuyuni/ Mazaruni) and 10 (Upper Demerara/ Berbice).

Tasked with the responsibility of undertaking the assessment was consultant Mr. Dereck Springer.

Along with Springer, the initiative was organised by the Ministry of Health’s Rehabilitation Services Unit in conjunction with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

The Permanent Secretary pointed out that the work of these partners was instrumental in changing wrong perceptions that are held in society.

“The tendency has been to treat persons with disabilities as less than human, especially when it comes to sexual and reproductive health,” he said.

Ally added that contrary to this misconception, persons with disabilities are persons with feelings and desires and aspirations, just as any other individual.

“These are people in need of physical, psychological and other forms of support to realise their potential,” he said. “They have their faculties and intelligence and have needs like any other person.”

He noted that the study reaffirms the need to have persons with disabilities socialising and interfacing with society so that their unmet needs can be catered to.

“Socialising and interfacing with society is an imperative so that needs can be met, including the basic needs for sexual gratification, to get married, to raise children and to raise a family,” Ally said.

Reiterating this was Director of Rehabilitation Services, Mrs. Barbara Lawrence, who reaffirmed that persons with disabilities have a right to reproductive health.

“They should have a responsible, satisfying and safer sex life; have the capacity to reproduce and the freedom to decide if, when, and how often to do so,” she said.

To this end, Lawrence explained that it is equally important that persons with disabilities be informed of and have access to safe, effective, affordable and acceptable methods of birth control, and the right of access to appropriate health care.

Bearing this in mind, the Rehabilitation Services Director explained that the assessment provides, for the first time, a look at sexual and reproductive health as it relates to young persons with disabilities.

She highlighted that persons with disabilities are as likely as other persons to be sexually active; they are at an increased risk for HIV/AIDS; they are up to three times more likely to be victims of sexual abuse and rape; and have less access to medical, psychological and judicial interventions.

Lawrence said, “Addressing these issues was the beginning of a process that would promote and protect the health of persons with disabilities and for the greater fulfillment of their human rights.”

The Rehabilitation Services Director pointed out that the work of her unit is guided by several documents, including the National Health Sector Strategy 2008 – 2012; the Rehabilitation Services unit’s strategic plan, which is still in draft; the National Commission on Disability (NCD) strategic plan 2007 – 2011; and the United Nations on rights of persons with disabilities.

She stated that the common theme of all these documents is the right to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standards of health without discrimination on the basis of disability.

Lawrence said also that persons can only be considered truly rehabilitated when all their needs are met.

“It is evident that the sexual and reproductive needs of most persons with disabilities are unmet or simply ignored,” she said.

The UNFPA Programme Officer, Ms. Babsie Giddings, noted that this initiative is one of the many activities undertaken by UNFPA and added that the technical support and funding provided advance efforts for an inclusive society where the needs of different target groups are met.