Program description:
Since 2002 Association of Women with Disabilities “SHYRAK” Public Association has been implementing the Program “Reproductive rights of women with disabilities” in close cooperation with the Ministry of Healthcare of the Republic of Kazakhstan and its regional Departments, the ZdravPlus Project, Internal Policy Department of the city of Almaty, Government of Finland and Kynnys The Threshold Association, and Counterpart Consortium Inc.
Principal aim:
To assist women with disabilities in the promotion of their sexual and reproductive rights by conducting information campaigns, public hearings, research and surveys as well as through awareness-raising and educational activities in the area of sexuality, reproductive health and rights, infusion and development of skills necessary to protect their interests at the level of the family and the society at large.
Program Objectives:
- To regularly inform the public about the barriers faced by women with disabilities when exercising their sexual and reproductive rights and the measures necessary to remove such barriers;
- To research the situation with the realization by women with disabilities of their rights, to design and propose recommendations for legislative, executive and consultation bodies;
- To provide women with disabilities with opportunities to acquire knowledge and skills in the area of sexual and reproductive rights;
- To maintain cooperation with international and local organizations and agencies working in the field of reproductive health (Ministry of Healthcare of the Republic of Kazakhstan and its regional Departments, the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), Kazakhstan Association on Sexual and Reproductive Health (KMPA).
Program Activities:
- Organizing training courses for women with disabilities on issues of sexuality of persons with disabilities, sexual and reproductive rights, contraception methods and prevention of STDs (Project “Steps towards self-sufficiency and independence of women with disabilities”: a series of 12 training courses devoted to psychological health, reproductive rights and prevention of STDs for 89 women with disabilities with the support of Counterpart Consortium – Kazakhstan and the ZdravPlus Project, Within the framework of the Healthy Community Program (2004), Project “The role of women with disabilities in the family and the society” (2007), Internal Policy Department of the city of Almaty and the Government of Finland; Project “Raising of the self-esteem and reproductive rights of women with disabilities in countries of Central Asia” (2009-2011), Government of Finland);
- Conducting training courses for parents of girls with disabilities aimed at overcoming stereotypes in relation to sexuality of persons with disabilities and creating a favorable environment and opportunities for girls with disabilities in realizing the same in their personal lives and making decisions (Project “Raising of the self-esteem and reproductive rights of women with disabilities in countries of Central Asia” (2009-2011), Government of Finland);
- Designing a training module, training of trainers on reproductive rights from among women with disabilities (OIO) (Project “Raising of the self-esteem and reproductive rights of women with disabilities in countries of Central Asia” (2009-2011), Government of Finland);
- Organizing information and advocacy campaigns (Project “Organization of the Roundtable themed “Issues of women’s disability and consideration of interests of women with disabilities in state programs in various areas”, World Bank (2005); Project “Consideration of interests of women with disabilities in budgets of state social programs” (2006), Soros Foundation – Kazakhstan; Project “The role of women with disabilities in the family and the society (2007), Internal Policy Department of the city of Almaty and the Government of Finland; Project “Reproductive rights of women with disabilities” (2008-2009));
- Conducting research and surveys (Project “Creation of the Network of women’s disability organizations in Central Asia” Government of Finland; Project “Reproductive rights of women with disabilities” (2008-2009), Counterpart Consortium Inc);
- Developing cooperation and organizing joint activities including the participation of specialists of the Ministry of Healthcare of the Republic of Kazakhstan, IPPF and KMPA (Project “Raising of the self-esteem and reproductive rights of women with disabilities in countries of Central Asia” (2009-2011), Government of Finland).
