Promoting sexual and reproductive health for women with disabilities

Asunta Adut, 21, has been studying at the United States International University of Africa in Nairobi, Kenya, for the past few months. From South Sudan, she has been in contact with Humanity & Inclusion as part of the WISH project since 2021. Asunta has a physical disability affecting her right hand caused by a snake bite. Today, she talks about how the WISH project has opened up dialogue and improved access to family planning information and services in her community.

Promoting sexual and reproductive health

When I heard about this project focused on the sexual and reproductive health of people with disabilities, I was very surprised and curious. I really wanted to find out more about my rights and about how I could help other people with these matters! The women in my community need to take action on sexual and reproductive health; they need to speak up for the whole community and not forget this issue, even when the project is over.

It was very important for me to take part in the events organized by HI. This project really educates women of all ages about sexual and reproductive health and family planning issues. It's a right for everyone, even people with disabilities!

I've learned a lot thanks to WISH. The activities have enabled me to tell people that I have the right to sexual and reproductive health services just like everyone else. To take things a step further, the workshops and training courses should be translated into Braille and sign language to widen the audience and raise awareness. This project really does help break down certain barriers and overcome social constructs!

Women with disabilities face obstacles every day

Women and girls in my community still have very little access to information about sexual and reproductive health and rights. This is even truer when you're disabled! I was lucky enough to have access to some resources on sexual and reproductive health, but some of my friends who were in South Sudan had never heard of it and had no information.

Social norms are still very strong on these subjects and these rights are not seen to apply to people with disabilities. Many people believe that disability is a medical problem and that the person should focus on their disability and not involve themselves in other areas, such as sexual and reproductive health.

My immediate family treated me like any other child, but some people around me saw me as sick, and some even called me an "open grave," meaning that I was part dead but not yet buried.

Personally, the biggest challenge I faced in my region was the many marriage proposals from older men wanting me to educate their children. According to them, and to other members of the community, younger men wouldn't love me or treat me properly because of my disability.

Helping people who need it

Today, I'm better informed about my sexual and reproductive health rights and I know where to get family planning services.

I feel good, relieved, happy and independent because I know what to do if there are any problems.

Alongside my studies, I work at an Austrian NGO as a facilitator for the inclusion of people with disabilities. I advocate for the inclusion of people with disabilities in government policies, organizations and companies. We need to maintain our awareness-raising and advocacy work and continue to educate communities about the importance of sexual health and rights for people with disabilities.

I intend to continue educating people about sexual and reproductive health – I want to help in my own small way. In the future, I'd like to see other projects like WISH start up, continue this work and extend it to other communities and states.