Disability- and youth-friendly approach to sexual and reproductive health and rights education. in Uganda: A skill-building workshop for global and public health practitioners and researchers
1
Research and Social Development, Gulu Disabled Persons Union, Gulu, Uganda
2
Social and preventive Medicine, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A2747
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Youth represent 20% of the world’s population, while 16% of the global population lives with a disability (physical, sensory, intellectual, or mental). Inclusive adolescent and youth sexual and reproductive health and rights (AYSRHR) education remains a global health priority, yet many awareness programs exclude highly vulnerable groups, particularly youth with disabilities (YWD). To address this gap, we are implementing The Together 2.0, a multisite (Uganda and Bangladesh) youth-led participatory action research project funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. This project in Uganda focuses on disability-inclusive AYSRHR education programs. This skill-building workshop aims to 1) disseminate key learnings from The Together 2.0 project conducted in Uganda; 2) sensitize global and public health practitioners and researchers to the importance of disability-inclusive and accessible AYSRHR research and interventions; and 3) equip them with specific skills and tools to integrate these approaches into their work.
METHODS:
This 1-hour workshop follows a structured
METHODS:
1) 15 minutes: Presentation of The Together 2.0 project’s objectives, findings, and lessons learned; 2) 30 minutes: Interactive group work on disability-inclusive AYSRHR, using two tools, a disability-focused checklist for data collection and analysis, and a disability accessibility audit of AYSRHR services; 3) 15 minutes: Wrap-up and discussion of next steps for participants to apply in their work.
RESULTS:
Participants will leave the workshop more comfortable and better equipped to develop (AY)SRHR initiatives that address the needs of YWD. They will identify barriers to AYSRHR access and concrete methodological solutions for designing and implementing inclusive SRHR programs with and for YWD.
CONCLUSIONS:
Amid global threats to inclusive public health, this workshop provides specific, actionable methods to improve access to AYSRHR for YWD. By enhancing their agency and access to AYSRHR services, we contribute to Sustainable Development Goals 3.8 (Universal Health Coverage) and 10 (Reduced Inequalities).
Youth represent 20% of the world’s population, while 16% of the global population lives with a disability (physical, sensory, intellectual, or mental). Inclusive adolescent and youth sexual and reproductive health and rights (AYSRHR) education remains a global health priority, yet many awareness programs exclude highly vulnerable groups, particularly youth with disabilities (YWD). To address this gap, we are implementing The Together 2.0, a multisite (Uganda and Bangladesh) youth-led participatory action research project funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. This project in Uganda focuses on disability-inclusive AYSRHR education programs. This skill-building workshop aims to 1) disseminate key learnings from The Together 2.0 project conducted in Uganda; 2) sensitize global and public health practitioners and researchers to the importance of disability-inclusive and accessible AYSRHR research and interventions; and 3) equip them with specific skills and tools to integrate these approaches into their work.
METHODS:
This 1-hour workshop follows a structured
METHODS:
1) 15 minutes: Presentation of The Together 2.0 project’s objectives, findings, and lessons learned; 2) 30 minutes: Interactive group work on disability-inclusive AYSRHR, using two tools, a disability-focused checklist for data collection and analysis, and a disability accessibility audit of AYSRHR services; 3) 15 minutes: Wrap-up and discussion of next steps for participants to apply in their work.
RESULTS:
Participants will leave the workshop more comfortable and better equipped to develop (AY)SRHR initiatives that address the needs of YWD. They will identify barriers to AYSRHR access and concrete methodological solutions for designing and implementing inclusive SRHR programs with and for YWD.
CONCLUSIONS:
Amid global threats to inclusive public health, this workshop provides specific, actionable methods to improve access to AYSRHR for YWD. By enhancing their agency and access to AYSRHR services, we contribute to Sustainable Development Goals 3.8 (Universal Health Coverage) and 10 (Reduced Inequalities).
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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