Promoting sexual and reproductive health for persons with disabilities

Overview

An estimated 15% of the world’s population live with a disability. Persons with disabilities have the same sexual and reproductive health (SRH) needs as other people. Yet they often face barriers to information and services.

This guidance note addresses issues of SRH programming for persons with disabilities. It is intended for SRH experts and advocates within UNFPA and WHO as well as those in other development organizations and partners. Those who address issues of family planning, maternal health, HIV and AIDS, adolescence, and gender-based violence may find this information particularly helpful. SRH particularly deserves attention because these needs have been so widely and so deeply neglected.

The approaches discussed here, however, apply broadly to all aspects of health programming for persons with disabilities. This note outlines a general approach to programming: it does not address specific protocols for the SRH care and treatment of persons with disabilities.