Sexual and reproductive health

People with disabilities are often marginalised and excluded from accessing sexual and reproductive health services, due to lack of knowledge or awareness about their needs, inaccessible venues or locations, stigmatising attitudes, and assumptions that people with disabilities are not sexually active and/or do not desire or cannot have children. Often times, people with disabilities are not provided access to the same standards and quality of care for sexual and reproductive health services as provided to people without disabilities.

The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) addresses the rights of people with disabilities to access sexual and reproductive health including in Article 9 (accessibility), Article 16 (freedom from exploitation, violence and abuse), Article 23 (respect for home and the family), and Article 25 (health). These articles require States to: eliminate discrimination in all matters related to marriage, family, parenthood and relationships, ensure control and retention of fertility is provided to people with disabilities on an equal basis as others, provide access to the same standards and quality of care for sexual and reproductive health and related programs and services, and take appropriate measures to protect people with disabilities from all forms of exploitation, violence and abuse, including gender-based aspects. Addressing attitudinal, environmental, and institutional barriers is paramount to ensure that people with disabilities can make informed decisions about their bodies, relationships, and their sexual and reproductive health.

Resources in this section provide evidence regarding the violations of the sexual and reproductive rights of women and girls with disabilities around the world, and guidance for programs to strengthen inclusive sexual and reproductive health programs.