Sexual reproductive trainings for people with disabilities triumph
February 25, 2023
Nontobeko Sibanda
Choice News Africa
Gwanda – In their extra efforts to improve the lives of people with disabilities, Nkomwa Foundation Trust has successfully held a five days workshop, for people with disabilities and caregivers to help keep the lives of vulnerable communities safe.
Matabeleland South Province based non-Governmental Organisation, NFT, held this workshop targeting caregivers for people with disabilities and the community, as a trainer of trainers, as part of the organisation’s target in empowering the vulnerable communities.
The workshop was facilitated by Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council- Mat South Province.
An estimated 10% of the world’s population is constituted by persons with disabilities. PWDs have the same sexual and reproductive health, just like any other people. However, PWDs often face barriers in accessing inclusive healthcare.
In recognition of these barriers, Nkomwa Foundation Trust considered staff capacitation inclusive of caregivers in order to curb information gap in adolescent sexual reproductive health, among persons with disabilities.
Adolescents with disabilities are said to be the most vulnerable groups in the society therefore there is dire need for them to be taught on ASRH for their self-protection.
Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council Matabeleland South Provincial Manager Mr. Talent Goremusandu urged NFT staff and its participants to spread knowledge on ASRH in their outreaches.
“This is a good opportunity for NFT staff and the care givers to go and implement adolescent and sexual reproductive health in your communities,” said Mr. Goremusandu.
“We have equipped you with relevant skills and knowledge which will enable you to cover the disability sector.”
He further said that as ZNFPC they are committed to work with NFT in all areas of ASRH to ensure safety of people in communities.
Ms Onnie Mupunga, ZNFPC Service delivery Coordinator urged NFT staff to close knowledge gap faced by youths with disabilities on ASRH services.
“As you go into communities l hope you are going to identify more problems faced by the youth as far as ASRH is concerned. I hope you will penetrate more and give knowledge that you gained from this training which will assist and reduce problems faced by young people in the disability community,” said Mupunga.
Miss Naledi Lebani NFT-Programs Intern expressed gratitude for the knowledge she gained from the training and vowed to use it in serving disability sector during her internship and beyond.
“I was not aware of some ASRH components and Family Planning procedures but after the training my eyes have been opened, l am going to impart knowledge to others in the community on behalf of NFT,” said Lebani.
The NFT Programmes and Communication Manager Miss Monitor Beloved Ncube treasured the training and said it was relevant to their organization.
“The training programme is beneficial to the team since they are mandated to work with young people with disabilities. Thus, the training has become a step in the right direction in the inclusive world in all aspects of life.” Concluded Ncube.