Supertouch Kindness Foundation organized a training titled “Self Advocacy for 45 Girls and Women on Their Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) Rights” from September 19 to 20, 2024, at the ADSU Commercial Events Center in Mubi North, Adamawa State. The training aimed to empower women and girls with disabilities by equipping them with skills to advocate for their SRH rights, increase awareness of available services, identify barriers to access, and develop self-advocacy action plans. Activities included presentations on SRH rights, discussions on personal experiences, group work on communication techniques, and the development of individual advocacy plans focused on topics like Gender-Based Violence and Family Planning.
Participants faced challenges such as delays in care at health facilities and the lack of disability-friendly infrastructure. Key lessons highlighted the need for increased awareness to dispel misconceptions about the capabilities of disabled individuals and the importance of consulting with experts when designing inclusive programs. Recommendations included ongoing training on self-advocacy, creating awareness in communities, prioritizing the construction of accessible facilities, and ensuring training venues are equipped to accommodate participants with disabilities. The training concluded with an emphasis on building a supportive network for advocacy and addressing the unique needs of women and girls living with disabilities.
PROJECT TITLE:
Strengthening Disability Inclusion-GBV Responses, Mitigation and SRH services through Community Based Action Team (COMBAT) in Michika, Mubi North and Hong LGAs of Adamawa State.
