5.L. Workshop: Advocation for sexuality education for children and young people with disabilities

Abstract

Abstract Estimated 135 million persons with disabilities are living in the WHO European Region. The international community has made progress in strengthening its commitment to safeguard and promote the human rights of persons with disabilities. A core principle in these agreements is the right to non-discrimination and non-stigmatisation. This principle relates to various spheres of life, including education and health care. And yet, political, societal and individual barriers persist which hinder persons with disabilities across their life span to exercise the full range of their rights and to access equal opportunities. In this regard, the needs of children and young people with disabilities related to sexual and reproductive health are of particular concern. All persons with or without disabilities develop in different stages throughout the course of their lives. The sexual development is part of this process and includes physical, cognitive, mental, social, relational, ethical, religious and cultural components. The Self-determination of the own body - which includes the decision if, when, with whom and how many children someone wants and how to express the own sexuality - is one of the most essential human rights. Comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) enables and supports a responsible behaviour related to sexuality. The WHO Regional Office for Europe highlights CSE for children and young people with disabilities as crucial intervention to promote the health and well-being. But yet we observe a shortage of access to CSE and a lack of knowledge of sexuality, reproduction and STIs; as well as a lack of studies and data about CSE for children and young people with disabilities. Therefore, this workshop aims to raise awareness about the importance, the need and the right to CSE for children and young people with disabilities, strengthen the human rights and empowerment approach and offers advocating tools. The first part will present the status of research in the field. During the workshop the participants will learn about the barriers in the field of CSE, discuss recommendations to overcome them as well as best practices for doing research with children and young people with disabilities. The second part sets out avenues that help to promote and develop an enabling environment for CSE at different levels e.g. institutions, regions and countries. Participations will get to know the legal framework and international conventions, which imply sexual and reproductive health especially with the focus on CSE for children and young people with disabilities. It will give an overview about relevant conventions UN members have committed to and which legal mechanisms can be used to raise the awareness in countries towards CSE for children and young people with disabilities and provides tools for advocacy. Key messages Raise awareness to the human rights issues for children and young people with disabilities in the area of CSE. Delivering best practice and tools to advocate.