The project inclusive implementation of the national policy and service standards for SRHR in Uganda is being implemented by three organisations of persons with disability.  These are umbrella organisation of Persons with Physical Disabilities (PWPDs), Pallisa District Action on Physical Disabilities (PADIAPD) and Mbale Action on Physical Disabilities. Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) is overlooked by both the disability community and those working on Sexual and Reproductive Health Services (SRHS).

This leaves PWDs among the most marginalised groups when it comes to SRHS despite having the same needs for SRHS as everyone else. The challenges to SRH faced by PWDs are not necessarily part of having a disability, but instead often reflect lack of social attention, legal protection, understanding and support. PWDs often cannot obtain even the most basic information about SRH thus remain unaware of basic facts about their bodies, rights and available services. PWDs may be denied the right to establish relationships, or they may be subjected to sexual abuse or treated as objects in the house other than members of the family.

As a group, PWDs fit the common pattern of structural risks for HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections due to high rates of poverty and illiteracy, lack of access to health resources and power to negotiate for safer sex. This project focuses on the fact that PWDs have the same sexual and reproductive health (SRH) needs as other people. Yet they often face barriers to information and services. At the end of the project, the Organisation hopes to have changed the ignorance and attitudes of society and individuals, including health-care providers, raising most of these barriers.

The project allowed for improved collaboration with Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights organisations to improve Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights for PWDs. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed with Reproductive Health Uganda (RHU) which resulted into a number of joint interventions such as training of RHU staff on disability awareness in Kampala and Luwero Districts and mainstreaming and accessibility auditing of RHU service centers. The accessibility auditing of a number of health centers resulted into usage of the Accessibility Standards for instance in Pallisa District, accessibility standards for persons with disabilities were observed during construction of a new office building.  Persons with Disabilities are now open to articulate their sexual reproductive health needs and to seek SHR services openly and to make choices about their preferred options. Health workers are now aware about the SRH rights of PWDs and are open to respond to their needs. Through UNAPD’s advocacy and networking efforts, Marie Stopes was able to facilitate 10 PWDs to participate in the 3rd Uganda National Family Planning conference. Marie Stopes and Reproductive Health Uganda(RHU), the leading SRHR organisations in Uganda have embraced disability inclusive SHR services throughout their programs. PWDs representatives at different levels including sub county, District have been empowered to voice SRHR issues of PWDs and ensure their inclusion into Local government plans and budgets.  

UNAPD as an institution embarked on fundraising for projects that are health related because of the experience gained during project implementation and to respond to the health needs of PWDS.  There has been improvement of accessibility at some facilities both government and private. Pallisa district local government constructed a shelter from Out Patients Department(OPD) to maternity ward at Kameke health center III to ease accessibility for mothers with disabilities, Spotlight on Africa Uganda Mbale branch constructed ramps and purchased wooden steps for delivery beds to try to easy access by PWDs who use their facility in Mbale. RHU requested for an accessibility audit of all their Kampala service centres to come up with recommendations of how they can improve accessibility.