Participants at a knowledge-sharing summit on Friday emphasised the need for sexual education among persons with disabilities, especially women and girls.

Janet Adekunle of the Hope Inspired Foundation for Women and Youth noted that her organisation had developed a sexuality manual to guide caregivers, parents, teachers, schools, women and girls living with disabilities on their sexual rights.  

“We have developed a sexuality manual, but we are in the process of distributing the manual in a couple of days,” Ms Adekunle said. “We have identified that the sexuality manual that the state currently has is not accessible for all PWDs. We want all our sexuality manuals to be accessible to all PWDs.”

Another participant, Omolara Daniel noted that “There were so many barriers, including sectional limitations and societal barriers where people think it is a taboo for women and girls with disabilities to express any sexual rights.”

Freky Andrew, the coordinator of Faecare Foundation and Bold Hearts Initiative, encouraged parents and caregivers to educate girls on their sexual health in order to avoid situations where they will “get the information from someone else.” 

Lois Auta, the founder of  Cedar Seed Foundation said women and girls living with disabilities have the right to access “education, leadership and health programs,” based on article six of the United Nations Convention on the rights of persons with disabilities. 

She emphasised the importance of collaboration, the need for resource mobilisation and mentorship among civil societies supporting women and girls with disabilities.