By: Antoinette Abbah
The Volta Regional Department of Gender will this October 2023 take Sexual and Reproductive Health and Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Clinics to the doorstep of adolescents living with disabilities. The focus will be persons in special schools in the region.
The Mobile clinic would among other things create the space for the adolescents to learn about Sexual and Reproductive Health and Sexual and Gender Based Violence.
Speaking in an interview the Volta Regional Director of Gender, Thywill Kpe, said Women and adolescents with disabilities are at a higher risk of experiencing sexual and reproductive health disparities. These include unintended pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections, and unsafe abortions.
Sadly, the sexual and reproductive health needs of persons with disabilities have often been overlooked, making them one of the most marginalized groups in terms of access to sexual and reproductive health services.
A WHO data estimates that women with disabilities are two to four times more likely to experience intimate partner violence than those without disabilities.
This point was echoed by Ghana’s Representative at the United Nation’s Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Gertrude Oforiwaa Fefoame. According to her, persons with disabilities are often exploited, abused and neglected.
“There is no part of our lives that violence, abuse, maltreatment and neglect does not take place in a vaccum,” she noted.
THE MOBILE CLINIC
The Mobile Clinic scheduled to operate either quarterly or biannually, is a crucial initiative aimed at addressing the pressing issues of sexual and reproductive health and sexual and gender-based violence among adolescents with disabilities in the Volta Region. Madam Kpe said this specialized clinic will comprise a dedicated team of professionals, each playing a vital role in educating and supporting these vulnerable adolescents. These professionals include officers from the :
Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU):
DOVVSU representatives would offer information on legal rights, reporting procedures, and support for those who may have experienced abuse or violence.
Ghana Health Service:
Health professionals from the Ghana Health Service will be present to deliver comprehensive sexual and reproductive health education. This includes topics such as family planning, safe sexual practices, and managing sexually transmitted infections. They will also provide information on accessible healthcare services.
Department of Gender and Social Welfare:
This department’s representatives will focus on addressing gender-related issues and promoting gender equality. They will educate adolescents on understanding
gender-based discrimination and stereotypes as well as how to stand up for themselves.
Psychologist:
A psychologist will be available to offer mental health support, counseling, and guidance when need be. They would address the emotional well-being of adolescents who may have faced traumatic experiences, such as abuse or discrimination.
Sign Language Interpreters:
To ensure effective communication with adolescents who may have hearing impairments, sign language interpreters will be an integral part of the clinic. They will facilitate interaction and understanding between the professionals and the adolescents.
Madam Kpe emphasized that together, this multidisciplinary team would create a safe and supportive environment where adolescents living with disabilities could learn about their sexual and reproductive health rights. They would also gain knowledge about how to protect themselves from sexual and gender-based violence.
“By bringing together these experts, the clinic aims to empower these marginalized individuals, ensuring they have the information and resources they need to make informed decisions and seek help when necessary” She added.
This initiative she noted represents a critical step towards addressing the unique challenges faced by adolescents with disabilities in accessing sexual and reproductive health services and addressing gender-based violence.
BENEFICIARY SCHOOLS
The Volta School For The Deaf and Blind, Hohoe which would benefit from these services is a facility for deaf and deaf-mute children in the Volta Region of Ghana. The school apart from deaf and mute pupils also accommodates pupils with sight disabilities and blindness, as well as children with special mental disorders and disabilities. Many of the students come from low income families.
New Horizon Foundation Evangelical Presbyterian Educational Centre for the Blind at Ho-Kpodzi is also a beneficiary. New Horizon has 20 visually impaired students, the majority of whom are adolescent girls.
The Volta Regional Gender Director said already through engagements with the adolescents in the school, it was discovered that they are being abused sexually.
“These girls are being raped and because they are blind, they can’t identify the perpetrators. This is why education is being intensified on sexual and reproductive health so these students know the right channels to go through to seek redress” Madam Kpe noted.
DONOR FACTOR
Madam Kpe said the involvement of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in this initiative has been instrumental in enhancing the support provided to adolescents with disabilities at New Horizon School.
UNFPA in partnership with the Gender Department has adopted New Horizon School for these services. So far three students at the School who do not only have disabilities themselves but also have disabled parents have received comprehensive education on sexual reproductive health. Moreover, they are being educated about the complexities of sexual and gender-based violence as well as empowering them with knowledge and tools to protect themselves.
In addition to education and awareness, UNFPA is also providing monetary support to the students. This financial assistance would help alleviate some of the economic burdens faced by students with disabilities and their families; further contributing to their overall well-being.
Madam Kpe noted that as a result of these educational efforts, some students at New Horizon have for the first time spoken about abuses, discrimination and exploitation they have experienced.
FUTURE OF THE CLINIC
The future of the clinic hinges on effective collaboration and partnerships with local organizations, educational institutions, healthcare providers, and disability advocacy groups.
To ensure its sustainability and to meet the needs of adolescents with disabilities, the clinic would operate regularly, ideally with at least three sittings per week.
It is imperative to maintain a steady supply of family planning commodities, diagnostic kits for HIV and STIs and other logistics support.
These measures would empower the clinic to provide ongoing, comprehensive care, making a meaningful impact on the sexual and reproductive health and well-being of the vulnerable adolescents it serves
