Sexual and reproductive health rights of women with disabilities
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Date
0100
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National University of Lesotho
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the challenges women with disabilities (WWDs) face in accessing sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR) in Maseru, Lesotho. The research objectives were: to analyze the existing policy and legislative frameworks related to sexual and reproductive health rights for women with disabilities in Maseru, Lesotho, to examine the current sexual and reproductive health experiences of women with disabilities in Maseru, Lesotho, to evaluate the challenges faced by women with disabilities in accessing sexual and reproductive health services in Maseru, Lesotho; and to generate potential strategies and interventions that can effectively address the identified WWDs challenges and discrimination vis a vis their sexual and reproductive health rights in Maseru, Lesotho. The study employed a qualitative study methodology, employing focus group discussions, semi-structured interviews, and document analysis to collect rich and in-depth data from various participants, such as WWDs, healthcare providers, and policymakers. The findings showed that there were many challenges to WWDs' access to SRHR, including negative social attitudes, lack of disability-friendly infrastructure in health facilities, limited trained healthcare providers, and lack of disability-sensitive laws and policies. The study therefore concluded that it is important to empower women with disabilities (WWDs) through peer support groups and advocacy programs in being well-positioned to respond effectively to challenges facing them in accessing sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR), also there is necessity of developing a culture of a caring community among WWDs in an effort to make them feel a sense of belonging, compassion, and commonality. Again, there is a need to build a disability friendly infrastructure to ensure that WWDs are able to access service centers. The study's limitations involved geographical confinement to the Maseru area, narrow disability categories, self-reporting bias, and recruitment challenges resulting from the sensitive nature of the study. It is therefore recommended that future research overcome these limitations through the use of an expanded range of disability categories, geographical expansion, and triangulation of results through various data sources. By going beyond these limitations and recommendations, future studies can be more effective in enabling a better understanding of WWDs' experiences of barriers to accessing SRHR and raising more inclusive and effective policy and practices that promote the rights and well-being of all women regardless of their disability or geographical location. The study concludes by appealing for targeted interventions and stakeholder interaction towards improving equitable access of SRHR by WWDs.