PRB

The Challenge

Globally, more than 180 million persons ages 10 to 24 live with a disability—mental, intellectual, physical, or sensorial.¹ They are among the most vulnerable and marginalized groups, and about 80% of them live in low-income countries.² For too long, policymakers have ignored threats to the SRHR of persons with disabilities and the GBV many of them experience. Through the We Decide initiative, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has invested substantial resources in building the evidence base to better understand and prioritize measures to combat this reality. PRB’s expertise in communicating evidence in easy-to-understand and actionable ways supports this effort.

Our Work

Building on We Decide’s current work—the mobilization of knowledge and data and the development of model standards for intervention—PRB has created a compelling multimedia ENGAGE presentation package for global audiences, The Path to Equality for Women and Young Persons With Disabilities: Realizing Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights and Ending Gender-Based Violence. It highlights the current global situation—the magnitude of SRHR needs and GBV among women and young people with disabilities; barriers; costs and consequences to individuals, communities, and the nation; best practices for social inclusion policies; opportunities; and recommended actions. The presentation’s content and design was driven by a global Technical Advisory Group comprised of UNFPA regional and headquarters staff, representatives from international nongovernmental organizations for disability rights, academics, and others.

The package is available in English, French, and Spanish.

View the package

Impact

The presentation and materials are designed to maximize the dissemination and use of data collection efforts and catalyze momentum and action among global, regional, and country stakeholders.