“I give birth through my vagina and not my legs” - Ethiopian women with disabilities share their challenges in access to sexual and reproductive health services

Abstract

The research aim was to learn more of the actual experiences women with disabilities have of their access to sexual and reproductive health services. Another purpose was to contribute more to the current literature due to a lack of research regarding the women’s own perspective. The research questions were: (1) what kind of needs women with disabilities have related to sexual and reproductive rights and services, (2) what kind of challenges women with disabilities have or have had related to their access to sexual and reproductive health services, and (3) what are their thoughts about the reasons behind these challenges. The research was conducted as focus group discussions in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from June to July 2022. In total five focus groups were held. The participants either spoke the local language, Amharic, or sign language. Discussions were translated to English. The discussions were recorded and transcribed in English. Five main challenges were identified and they were related to information, society, environment, finances, and support. The challenges were analyzed through a variety of concepts: availability, affordability, appropriateness, and assistance. The challenges were seen to be caused or exacerbated by the government’s exclusive policies and poor legislation, and the women’s internalized picture of themselves. These causing factors were analyzed through the concepts of accountability and approachability. The results found indicate that the women face multiple overlapping challenges. The government of Ethiopia and other national, and international actors should address these challenges and take an active role in eradicating them.