Persons with Disabilities attended a training session on sexual and reproductive health at The Gambia Organization of the Visually Impaired (GOVI) in Kanifing, Gambia.
The training was funded by the United Nations Population Fund in collaboration with Fankanta to train people with disabilities on sexual and reproductive health issues.
At the event, Kunle Adeniyi, UNFPA Country Representative, said persons with disabilities are often forgotten in development plans.
He revealed that persons living with disabilities often find it difficult to access sexual and reproductive health information.
“UNFPA targets persons with disabilities because they are a group of people who are so far neglected and isolated. We have been living for so long without addressing issues about them,” he said.
Omar Camara, a participant, described the training as ‘crucial,’ pointing out that many young women with disabilities lack the necessary knowledge and requirement to protect them from sexual abuse.
He maintained that it is high time for persons with disabilities to take a firm stand and prove to the people that disability is not inability.
“Young people with disabilities face numerous reproductive health problems, due to lack of information and our education sector does not recognize sexual and reproductive need and rights of an adolescent with people with disabilities,” he said.
